PENANG has achieved 85 per cent overall progress in implementing programmes and projects under the Age-Friendly City Penang Island (AFCPI) Strategic Action Plan as of the end of 2025.
Responding to an oral question in the Penang State Legislative Assembly, Lim (PH – Sungai Pinang) said the progress was measured based on the framework by the World Health Organization, which covers eight key domains aimed at creating a more inclusive and accessible city for older persons.
“By the end of 2025, the overall quantitative progress, including KPIs and achievements under the Age-Friendly City framework by WHO, stands at 85 per cent for programmes and projects under the Age-Friendly City Penang Island Strategic Action Plan,” she said.
According to progress reports from the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), significant achievements have been recorded across the eight domains.
For outdoor spaces and buildings, the state recorded 89.3 per cent progress through upgrades to parks and public spaces to make them more senior-friendlier.
The transportation domain achieved 88.6 per cent progress, including improvements to the bus fleet and transport subsidies for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
“For the housing domain, achievements have reached 100 per cent through improvements in safety and facilities in public housing areas.
“The social participation domain has also achieved 100 per cent following the implementation of inclusive community programmes and workshops for all segments of society,” she said.
The community support and health services domain also reached 100 per cent through comprehensive health and safety initiatives.
Other domains still progressing include, the respect and social inclusion (65.7%), civic participation and employment (70%), and communication and information (62.9%).
Lim noted that Penang’s efforts have also received international recognition.
“The Penang government has received the ‘Completion of Cycle 1’ recognition from WHO, making MBPP the first local authority in Malaysia to achieve this status,” she added.
Lim also said the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) continues to play a key coordinating role to ensure accountability and ongoing improvements.
“PWDC acts as the coordinator by working closely with MBPP to ensure intervention and improvement measures are implemented more effectively and continuously,” she said.
She added that the agency conducts periodic monitoring and evaluation across all domains to identify implementation gaps.
“Identified gaps and weaknesses are discussed with implementing agencies for improvements and prioritised for inclusion in the Cycle Two Strategic Action Plan,” she said.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Siew Chia En