Sarawak aims to be a model age-friendly region
- BT
- 11 minutes ago
- 2 min read
KUCHING, 29 October 2025: The Sarawak International Conference on Ageing (SICA) 2025 officially kicked off yesterday, taking place at Pullman Hotel Kuching from October 28 to 29, 2025. Organised by the Sarawak State Government through the Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Sarawak, SICA2025 explores innovative strategies, shares best practices and strengthens partnerships to ensure that the elderly are respected, empowered and fully included in society.
This year’s conference is themed ‘Ageing with Dignity: Policies for Rights, Inclusion and Social Protection’, and brings together thoughtful leaders, policymakers, researchers, practitioners and advocates from around the world to address the growing challenges and opportunities of global ageing. Co-hosted by the Sarawak Gerontology and Geriatric Society (SGGS), this conference is part of Sarawak’s commitment to inclusive development, community empowerment and healthy ageing for all.
Notable speakers at this year’s conference include the Director of the Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rahimah Ibrahim of Universiti Putra Malaysia, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Swinburne Sarawak, Prof. Ida Fatimawati Adi Badiozaman and WHO Representative and Head of the WHO Country Office to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore, Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, as well as speakers from all over Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and China.
During the launching yesterday, Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Dato Sri Hajjah Fatimah Abdullah shared that Sarawak is one of the states that have recorded a life expectancy that exceeds the national average, joining Selangor and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan.
“The data indicates that Malaysia is rapidly moving towards becoming an ageing society, a development that demands comprehensive preparedness in social, economic and healthcare aspects to ensure the continued wellbeing of senior citizens,” said Dato Sri Hajjah Fatimah Abdullah in her launching speech. “The state government recognises this reality and is taking proactive measures through collaboration with strategic agencies, local authorities and community partners to strengthen support systems and create opportunities that enable senior citizens in Sarawak to live active, safe and dignified lives.”
Meanwhile, the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, represented by Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Prof. Dr. Sim Kui Hian, shared the state’s aim at becoming a model age-friendly region. “This would be achieved through stronger collaboration to develop inclusive and comprehensive ageing policies that uplift older Sarawakians.”
“By 2050, 1 in 6 people will be aged 60 and above. As our society move forward, it is important that no one is left behind. We want Sarawak to be a place where people not only live longer, but also live better,” concluded the Premier.
