Senior citizens’ rights and needs should be protected, respected – Rosey
MIRI: Awareness of the rights and needs of senior citizens must be nurtured from young as they deserve the respect of the community.
“Senior citizens have the right to live in a safe and conducive environment, the right to be protected and should be given the opportunity to contribute according to their skills and abilities,” said Assistant Minister of Women, Family and Childhood Development, Rosey Yunus at the launch of Miri Senior Citizens Day celebration on Saturday.
The event was organised by the Senior Citizens Development Committee of Miri, Welfare Department and the Senior Citizens Activity Centre ( PAWE), Miri.
According to her, senior citizens abuse is unacceptable and must be prevented. Such cases can be avoided if positive values such as respect for one another and for elders are nurtured from young.
“To improve the lives of senior citizens, access to local senior citizen- friendly facilities and services is vital,” she added.
Elaborating further, Rosey said many people have the misconception that senior citizens should just rest at home.
“This is a misconception. Even though they are senior, they should still be active and contribute to the community and national development. They have skills, talents and experience,” she added.
She added that the United Nations ( UN) had declared October 1 as International Senior Citizens’ Day in recognition of senior citizens as they should not be thought of as ‘a burden’.
“Therefore, it is the government’s social obligation and commitment to work with non- government associations ( NGO) and the
private sectors, to provide a conducive environment for seniors to live their lives comfortably,” Rosey concluded
The one day event included numerous activities for senior citizens such as singing competition, laughing/smiling competition, 60s fashion show by senior citizens and their grandchildren, puzzle competition, colouring competition for senior citizens and their grandchildren, ‘explorace’, ketupat weaving competition, romantic partners competition, best friends forever ( BFF) competition and various folks games.
Also present were Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, Sarkawi Suhaili; Miri Resident, Sherrina Husaini; Subis District Officer, Husini Bakir; Temenggong Elizabeth Deng and Pemanca Wilson Siang Lim.