Pensioners can live active lives after retirement
KUCHING: Government pensioners should venture into entrepreneurship and embrace the advent of digital economy.
Assistant Minister for Entrepreneur Development Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais said they could collaborate with government agencies, particularly those offering assistance or programmes, so that they could still lead active lives even after retirement.
“Lots of opportunities are up for grabs, so do not wait for them to come knocking on your door. You can begin with doing small businesses as it is never too late to initiate an effort.
“After you begin with baby steps, you can gradually expand your business and even pass it on to your children and grandchildren,” he said during Sarawak Government Pensioners Association (SGPA)’s 45th annual general meeting (AGM) at Dormani Hotel here yesterday, where he represented Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg to officiate at the opening ceremony.
Naroden, who is also Assistant Minister for Resource Planning, said the state government is going all out in transforming Sarawak’s traditional economy into digital economy – a process that should enhance the socioeconomic status of Sarawakians.
He added that the government strove to upgrade Internet connectivity and speed by putting in place the infrastructure necessary to achieve the digital economy status.
“The online business has its potential. Let me share with you a case in Johor Baharu where a woman entrepreneur advertises her products including curry puffs on the Internet. Her products have been selling very well after she opted for online marketing – now, she is a successful entrepreneur.”
Quoting American author Elwood N Chapman in his book ‘Comfort Zones – Planning Your Future’, Naroden said: “Retirement should be viewed as
Lots of opportunities are up for grabs, so do not wait for them to come knocking on your door. You can begin with doing small businesses as it is never too late to initiate an effort. After you begin with baby steps, you can gradually expand your business and even pass it on to your children and grandchildren. — Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, Assistant Minister for Entrepreneur Development
second life composed of various stages of fulfilment. Retirement should be an opportunity to replace a work-oriented lifestyle with a new one that is equally or even more exciting.”
Naroden presented excerpts from the book: “If we do not stay in charge by maintaining our health, protecting our living environments and managing our money, we will ultimately fall victim to ‘detachment syndrome’. The syndrome is a trap we should learn to recognise and avoid.”
The assistant minister said pensioners ought to go on leading meaningful lives, despite their retirement.
He believed that with decades of experience and acquiring knowledge, pensioners would be able to carry on playing significant roles in developing the state.
He also called on pensioners to rally behind the government of the day, apart from fulfilling their obligations to disseminate information and share their experiences with various communities.
“All initiatives and planning by the government are meant to enhance the standard of living of our people, including pensioners. Hence, we also welcome opinions and suggestions from pensioners,” added Naroden.