Kota Kinabalu: State Women, Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Julita Majungki (pic) said Kota Kinabalu is poised to become Sabah’s flagship age-friendly city.
However, she emphasised that the challenge of our rapidly greying population demands far more than healthcare alone.
“It requires every sector from government to neighbourhoods pulling together,” Julita said.
Delivered by Assistant Minister Datuk Rina Jainal at the 11th Malaysian Conference on Healthy Ageing last Friday, Julita’s message was a clear call to action: prepare now, before the demographic shift becomes an urgent reality.
Official figures show Malaysians aged 60 and above already make up 12.6 per cent of the population and will hit 15pc within a decade, crossing the threshold that officially classifies Malaysia as an ageing nation.
“We cannot afford to wait until we are there to act,” Julita said.
“Healthy ageing is not just about hospitals and medicine. It is about public spaces, transport, housing, social inclusion and the dignity of every older person in our midst.”She outlined a vision where Kota Kinabalu leads the way but only through a whole-community approach.
The goal is not just to add years to life but to add life to those years, the Minister said.
“Our elders built this nation. They deserve to age with dignity, purpose and belonging.”The conference was attended by organising chairman Dr Wong Teck Wee and Malaysia Healthy Ageing Society president Prof Nathan Vytialingam.
