26/05/2025

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Govt upbeat about making Senior Citizens Bill a reality

‘Instal Solar PV systems for clean energy’

KUALA TERENGGANU: The government is encouraging local authorities and other entities to adopt Solar Photovoltaic (Solar PV) systems as part of efforts to accelerate the country’s transition towards clean energy. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said installing Solar PV systems would help reduce electricity bills, generate renewable energy and cut carbon emissions. Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation minister, highlighted the Kuala Terengganu City Council as a leading example, noting its installation of Solar PV systems at the council tower’s rooftop and parking area. “The installation is the largest solar project by a local authority under the Net Energy Metering programme, within the NEM GoMEN (Net Energy Metering for Government Ministries and Entities) category, approved by the Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia on Dec 16, 2021. “It has been operational since Jan 2, 2024, and is expected to generate 1,147MWh of green electricity annually – translating to estimated savings of over RM200,000 a year,” he said after inspecting the site during his ministry’s East Zone Roadshow in Kelantan and Terengganu, which began on Saturday. The roadshow also visited the Large-Scale Solar (LSS) Coara Marang plant, developed under the LSS3 programme, which he said supplies power to over 10,000 households daily. “This plant is among the most technologically advanced in the country and serves as a model for disaster-resilient solar infrastructure, especially in flood-prone areas,” he said. The tour concluded with a visit to Concord Biotech Sdn Bhd’s RM21 million biogas power plant in Kemaman, which uses palm oil mill effluent to fuel two biogas engines with a combined capacity of 2.404MW. – Bernama Minister to attend ITS forum in South Korea PUTRAJAYA: Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi will lead Malaysia’s delegation to the Asia-Pacific Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Forum 2025 and a High-Level Roundtable Meeting in Suwon, South Korea. According to the ministry, Nanta, who chairs Malaysia’s ITS Council, was invited by South Korea’s land, infrastructure and transport minister The visit aims to explore collaborations, technology transfer and infrastructure development based on advanced ITS technologies. Nanta will attend the roundtable on Wednesday, held alongside the ITS Forum from Wednesday to Friday at the Suwon Convention Centre. “The meeting will gather ministers and leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region to exchange best practices and drive forward the ITS agenda and sustainable transport development,” the ministry said. Over 10,000 participants and 196 exhibitors are expected. The forum provides a platform for Malaysia to showcase its strategies for sustainable mobility using ITS and to engage with global industry players on artificial intelligence and big data in transport. “This working visit is expected to further enhance Malaysia-South Korea ties, which date back to 1960, particularly in the areas of technology, infrastructure and smart transport innovation,” it added. – Bernama

PETALING JAYA: The government is making steady progress towards introducing a Senior Citizens Bill aimed at enhancing protection for Malaysia’s ageing population, said Women, Family and Community Development Ministry deputy secretary-general (strategic) Mohd Daud Mohd Arif. “I don’t want to overpromise on the Bill, but the outlook is promising,” he said. “The minister (Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri) is optimistic about it, and substantial discussions and research have already been carried out. “We just need a bit more time to evaluate the findings before moving forward with concrete solutions,” he said at the Living Your Golden Years: Reaching Out, Touching Lives Conference and Exhibition 2025. The event was held on Saturday at Tun Tan Cheng Lock College, Assunta Hospital in Petaling Jaya. Mohd Daud said the ministry is reviewing the National Policy for Older Persons, first introduced in 2011, with the goal of strengthening strategies related to ageing. “New strategies under consideration include raising awareness about ageing, promoting the rights of older persons and reminding families of their responsibilities. “An integrated, institutionalised long-term care system is critical,” he added. He also said the Economy Ministry is leading inter-ministerial coordination – including with the Health, Education, and Women, Family and Community Development ministries – through the National Ageing Agenda. “The agenda aims to support medium and long-term socioeconomic development for elderly care. It will address key areas such as education, financial planning, labour productivity and technology adoption.” o New strategies under consideration include raising awareness on ageing, promoting rights of elders and establishing long-term care system: Deputy sec-gen Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Mohd Daud said it is essential that older adults have access to tailored services, including home-based and palliative care. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

With Malaysians aged 60 and above expected to comprise 15% of the population by 2030, Mohd Daud underscored the urgency of a comprehensive, forward-looking approach. He identified several key priorities – ensuring access to healthcare, protecting seniors from scams, enhancing financial security and fostering social inclusion. “It is essential that older adults have access to tailored services, including home-based and palliative care. We must also strengthen retirement schemes and promote lifelong financial literacy.” Echoing these concerns, Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye called for the urgent enactment of a Senior Citizens Bill. “Today’s seniors were yesterday’s teachers, farmers, factory workers and parents who helped build this nation. They deserve dignity, care and recognition. Are we truly doing enough for them? “We need a dedicated legislative framework to protect their rights and promote their well being,” he said. He stressed that such legislation should not only safeguard economic security – through improved retirement schemes and inclusive employment – but also promote community engagement through lifelong learning and social programmes. Lee also proposed the formation of a Senior

and the Bank Rakyat Unipreneur programme. The Tube initiative targets Bumiputera youths aged 18 to 30 who are passionate about entrepreneurship, particularly those with basic skills certifications from local training institutions or skills centres. Successful participants may receive grants of up to RM15,000. Nor Azean also highlighted the UDA 4Youth programme, an initiative by UDA Holdings Berhad, that aims at encouraging Bumiputera youth to venture into business while building resilience and self-confidence in managing their own enterprises. The Johor edition of the Madani programme, themed ”Belia Madani, Yakin Boleh!” features various activities including exhibitions, interactive sessions with government agencies, a Technical and Vocational Education and Training expo and career carnivals. – Bernama Citizens Commission to oversee policy implementation and ensure government accountability. Meanwhile, Third Age Media Association founding president Cheah Tuck Wing cautioned that legislation alone is insufficient without a robust care infrastructure. “Legal provisions by themselves cannot resolve the socio-economic pressures faced by caregiving families,” he said. “Malaysia’s high age dependency ratio means many families are balancing both eldercare and childcare, often leading to carer fatigue. This strain can result in elder neglect or abandonment – not from malice, but from sheer exhaustion.” Cheah urged the government to introduce targeted financial support for caregiving households, increase training of geriatric specialists and strengthen partnerships with NGOs to develop community-based eldercare services. In December, Nancy said the ministry was evaluating the feasibility of enacting legislation to safeguard welfare of the elderly. She emphasised the importance of building consensus before moving forward. “We must ask whether strengthening family values and promoting a sense of responsibility within the household can help reinforce the family unit – perhaps reducing the reliance on legal enforcement,” she said.

Madani initiative to empower young entrepreneurs JOHOR BAHRU: The Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry is placing strong emphasis on youth entrepreneurship this year through a series of targeted programmes. training, mentorship and financing opportunities. “We hope more youths will take this opportunity to strengthen their entrepreneurial skills.”

Its corporate communications unit deputy head Nor Azean Hasan said in conjunction with the Johor Madani Rakyat Programme 2025, led by the Youth and Sports Ministry, the ministry is showcasing initiatives aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs through its exhibition booth. One of the key highlights is the New Gen Entrepreneur Online Bootcamp under the Professional Training and Education for Growing Entrepreneurs Secretariat, Nor Azean said. The programme, which opened for registration on May 21, focuses on capacity-building through entrepreneurial

The programme is designed to help graduates scale up their online businesses with eligible participants standing a chance to receive a RM3,000 grant. Through its agency Perbadanan Nasional Bhd, the ministry is also promoting the Young Entrepreneurship Engagement Talents programme, tailored for youth start-up entrepreneurs. The programme offers financing schemes for business expansion, including franchisor and franchisee options. Several other initiatives are also available to encourage youth participation in business, including the Tunas Usahawan Belia Bumiputera (Tube) programme, Tekun financing schemes,