Kota Kinabalu: Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) is stepping up efforts to prepare the state capital for an ageing population, as the city has already crossed the World Health Organisation (WHO) threshold for an ageing society.
Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah said DBKK is enhancing pedestrian infrastructure, upgrading public facilities and strengthening collaboration with agencies such as the Social Welfare Department and non-governmental organisations to better support senior citizens.
“A city’s true progress is measured by how inclusive it is and how well it protects vulnerable groups, especially children and senior citizens,” he said at the “Inspirasi & Realiti: Perkongsian Bandar Mesra Usia 2026” programme, here, on Monday.
He added that initiatives such as the MY.BAS public transport project will further improve accessibility, with 48 pink buses expected to be operational by the end of June, offering concession cards for elderly commuters across eight routes.
Sabin said these efforts are part of DBKK’s broader push to make Kota Kinabalu a more liveable and inclusive city, in line with its long-term development plans.
Statistics from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) show that 7.6 per cent of Kota Kinabalu’s population is aged 65 and above, exceeding the WHO’s seven per cent benchmark for an ageing society.
Sabah’s figure stands at 6.4 per cent, while the national average is eight per cent.
Sabin noted that Malaysia is projected to become an ageing nation by 2030, with more than 15 per cent of its population aged 60 and above, underscoring the urgency for cities to adapt.
Meanwhile, Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) Chief Executive Officer Datuk Ong Bee Leng said ageing trends would have far-reaching implications on the social, economic and political landscape.
“By 2030, ageing will significantly impact society, the economy and to some extent, politics. Cities must prepare early using structured frameworks such as those outlined by WHO,” she said.
Ong, who shared Penang’s experience in implementing the Age-Friendly City framework, noted that Kota Kinabalu has already surpassed the threshold of an ageing society, highlighting the need for proactive planning.
Penang is targeting to become an elderly-friendly state by the end of 2027 through policies aligned with WHO guidelines.
The programme served as a platform for DBKK and stakeholders to exchange insights and best practices, with the aim of developing a comprehensive Age-Friendly City Action Plan for Kota Kinabalu.
