The shade netting at the chill-out area of the Joy Garden Old Folks’ Home in Semenyih, offered immediate relief from the morning heat as I sat chatting with three residents.
With a cool breeze occasionally sweeping in from the nearby lake, the moment felt calm -almost serene.
I have always cherished conversations with the elderly. They don’t just share stories of hardship; they leave us with a quiet reminder to appreciate what we still have.
Every year, as Chinese New Year draws near, the home contacts us for groceries. And for 14 years now, friends have willingly contributed so the residents can prepare their own festive dishes - simple acts that restore dignity and joy.
On the morning of February 4, 2026 while waiting for a friend to deliver some Chinese New Year cookies, I spent time listening to the residents.
That was when it struck me: none of them seemed to be receiving the various government cash aid that are dished out to the low-income group. Perhaps they are not eligible but perhaps no one has ever helped them try.
Most residents are here because illness or age took away their ability to earn. Many have no family, and most struggle with filling up forms, procedures, and bureaucracy.
In fact, they may not even know how to operate a smart phone nor own any bank account.
Homes like these do provide them with basic food and shelter, but a little cash can mean giving them back some freedom like choosing a snack, buying a soap they like, or treating themselves without asking.
I am not even certain whether they are entitled to such aid - but then again, why not? And if they are, why is no one helping them apply?
What, then, are our elected representatives doing to assist people like these?
Decades ago, retired member of parliament Lee Lam Thye was known to sit on a sidewalk with his typewriter, personally writing appeal letters for his constituents.
If that could be done then, why can’t MPs today do something similar to help the elderly in homes like this?
From my conversations with the residents, many ended up here simply because they ran out of money and lost their means of earning - either due to illness or because they were edged out of the workforce.
Most have no family members to depend on, and many are illiterate or unable to navigate the paperwork required to apply for government aid.
Let’s hope the government and elected representatives will reach out proactively to these individuals and help them access whatever assistance they may be entitled to.
Vincent Lim (limhockmian@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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