By Christine T
KUCHING, Oct 20: Sarawak has spent RM137.5 million on its Senior Citizen Health Benefit (SCHB) since its introduction in August 2024, with 133,895 senior citizens having benefited from it as of September this year.
Minister for Women, Early Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Sri Fatimah Abdullah said 234,318 senior citizens had registered for the benefit as of September 2026, with 57 per cent having accessed the facility.
“Access to the benefit has also been expanded through an increase in the number of participating private clinics and hospitals, from 257 in April 2026 to 279 as of September 2026,” she said while delivering her ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting here today.
According to Fatimah, people aged 60 and above account for an estimated 14 per cent of Sarawak’s population, just one percentage point below the 15 per cent threshold established under the National Policy for Older Persons as an indicator of an ageing society.
In response to the demographic shift, the Sarawak government continues to strengthen support for senior citizens through healthcare, social engagement, financial assistance, and caregiving initiatives.
The Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC), introduced in 2020, attracted 410,847 cardholders as of September 30, 2026, with registered merchants growing from 46 at launch to 1,345.
During the same period, RM85.1 million in Compassionate Death Benefits had been paid to the next-of-kin of 33,764 deceased cardholders.
Fatimah said the government was also promoting active ageing and community participation through Senior Citizens Activity Centres (PAWE) and Senior Citizens Service Centres (PPWE).
“As of Sept 30, 2026, a total of 30 PAWE and eight PPWE centres were operating throughout Sarawak, involving 21,828 registered senior citizens. These initiatives also strengthen support networks, encourage active ageing and increase senior citizens’ participation in their communities,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Sarawak government is strengthening its elderly care workforce through the Training Certificate for Elderly Caregivers (TREC) programme at Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) Dalat.
Since October 2023, 112 participants have enrolled in the programme, with 55 completing their training and 48 securing employment at senior care centres.
The programme aims to produce competent caregivers, improve graduates’ employability and meet workforce demands in the care sector as Sarawak strengthens its support for a growing senior citizen population. — DayakDaily
