By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, Jan 31 — The responsibility of caring for vulnerable groups should not lie solely on the shoulders of family members but must involve the government, the private sector, and the community as a whole.
State executive councillor for welfare Anfaal Saari stressed the importance of the care agenda in a post on X (formerly Twitter) today.
“Awareness of the care economy within society will strengthen the support system for caregivers and help alleviate their burden,” she said.
Her remarks come after a recent visit to the family of intellectually disabled teenager Soniah Kaur Gill, 19, in her constituency of Taman Templer, together with representatives from the state’s Social Welfare Department.
According to Anfaal, Soniah is still being cared for by her parents, Rashpal Singh Gill and his wife, despite already coming of age.
Expressing sympathy with the pair, she said she understands the parents’ struggle, describing them as an inspiration.
“Their sacrifices to ensure their child can live the best possible life is a source of inspiration for me to continue empowering the care economy agenda.
“What Rashpal and Soniah are going through shows the importance of the care agenda in the community, which requires advocacy and promotion,” Anfaal said.
Aid was also handed over to Soniah and her family during the visit to help reduce their burdens.
The councillor has made the care agenda among her top priorities since assuming her position in August last year, particularly focusing on care for children, the disabled, and the elderly.
In October, during the Selangor Care Economy Symposium 2023, she highlighted the importance of this sector to the state’s economic development.
Later on November 1, Anfaal said the state government will roll out the Selangor Care Economy Action Framework 2024-2028 in April this year, the first of its kind in Malaysia, which will serve as a reference document for all stakeholders in the state on the care economy.
She also announced that a Selangor Care Economy Action Council will be established in June, to be chaired by Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari. It will be responsible for planning, monitoring, and providing the necessary input concerning the care agenda.
Anfaal said these initiatives align with the state government’s effort to strengthen the care economy further and position Selangor as a leader in this sector.
