Make public gardens more senior citizen-friendly, local councils told

Participants take off from the MBKS compound for the 3km Mayor’s Walk event.

KUCHING (Aug 22): Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian has instructed local councils to improve infrastructure and facilities at gardens under their jurisdiction to be more senior citizen-friendly.

The Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister said this is in view of the rising number of senior citizens in Sarawak whose population is expected to continue growing in the coming years.

“Sarawakians are living longer every year and thus it is important to remain healthy. If we are plagued with various illnesses in our old age, then there is no point in living such a long life,” he said after flagging off the Mayor’s Walk 2022 at the compound of Kuching South City Council (MBKS) yesterday.

Citing an example, Dr Sim said the improvements carried out at Kenyalang Traffic Garden here over the past two years have transformed it into a place frequented by people of all age groups to exercise.

He also highlighted the three main illnesses faced by senior citizens, namely high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, with statistics also showing obesity to be a serious problem.

Dr Sim had recently mentioned that 16 per cent of Sarawak’s population is expected to be aged 60 and above by 2030, and that the state must be prepared to face issues due to its ageing population sooner rather than later.

Meanwhile, yesterday’s Mayor Walk saw some 10,000 people taking part in the 3km event. The annual event was shelved for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Apart from promoting a healthy lifestyle among the community, it also aimed to spread awareness of the importance of recycling.

Among those present with Dr Sim was Kuching South mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng.

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