KUCHING: The 2022 Sarawak State Senior Citizens Day (Hari Warga Emas – HWE) celebration will be held on October 1 at NAIM Bintulu Paragon Street Mall, Bintulu.
Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said this means it would held at the same time as the international and national HWE celebrations.
“The main highlight of this year’s HWE Celebration is the ‘We are United in Health’ programme where a total of 3,000 senior citizens will be involved in aerobic exercise activities that will take place simultaneously in 12 parts of Sarawak and this event will be crowned in the Malaysia Book of Records.
“It is certain that we expect more participation in the future, even more than 3,000. Preparations have also started,” he said at a press conference in conjunction with the celebration of Sarawak Seniors Day 2022, at the Baitulmakmur Building 2, near here, yesterday.
She added that the ‘We are United in Health’ programme will also involve participants from Senior Citizen Activity Centre (PAWE) and Senior Citizen Service Centre (PPWE) from all over Sarawak.
“We also welcome other seniors, including those from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), village development and security committees and others as long as they are seniors,” she said.
In addition, Fatimah informed that tree planting activities will be held in all 12 parts of Sarawak to support the government’s initiative through the Forest Department in making the 100 million Greening of Malaysia program a success.
“At the same time, various interesting activities such as folk sports, Senior Got Talent performances and fitness activities will also be held to enliven this year’s HWE celebration.
“The involvement of external agencies and institutions under the supervision of the Sarawak Social Welfare Department (JKMS) will also be involved through participating in the opening of their respective exhibition and service stalls,” he explained.
The theme for this year’s Sarawak Senior Citizens Day celebration is “Resilience and Contribution of Golden Age” and it is different from the theme at the national level which is “Resilience and Contribution of Senior Citizen”.
Elaborating further, Fatimah informed that visitors to the HWE program also could visit the booth provided including registering for the Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC).
“We recommend that those who do not have a KGC to come because the KGC application service can be done directly on the day and the card will also continue to be issued.
“As of August 2022, a total of 310,296 KGC applications have been received throughout Sarawak. Of that total, 225,668 KGC have been printed and 217,754 KGC have been distributed to applicants throughout Sarawak.
“Meanwhile, for those who have not received it even though they have registered, they can come to the reruai to ask where their card is – a check can be made in the system.
“In addition, Bentuan Ikhsan Kematian (BIK) which is a benefit for KGC holders has successfully helped a total of 9,637 heirs of KGC holders so far and they received benevolent death assistance with a total expenditure of RM28.9 million,” she said.
