THE Federal Government’s plan to establish a National Integrated Care Centres of Excellence (NICE) in Penang has been welcomed by the state government, academics and senior citizens’ organisations.
The Penang Senior Citizens Activity Centre (PAWE) Jelutong branch is working with the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) to establish a day care centre for senior citizens by the end of this year.
Its chairman, Datuk Seri Lawrence Cheah, said the centre, which has more than 900 members, hopes to initially accommodate between 10 and 20 senior citizens who remain mobile and can participate in activities independently.
“The centre is expected to operate from 8.30am to 2pm, offering hydroponic gardening, indoor and outdoor recreational activities, as well as exercise classes to encourage senior citizens to leave their homes and interact with their peers,” he told Buletin Mutiara.
Cheah said the centre currently charges an annual membership fee of RM35 and hopes to offer day care services at a low cost in the future to ease the financial burden on families.
“Our aim is not to replace nursing homes that provide round-the-clock care. Instead, we want senior citizens who can still care for themselves to have opportunities to participate in activities, make friends and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle,” he said.
He hopes the initiative will complement NICE and existing elderly care services, providing senior citizens in Penang with more options to meet their care needs.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement, saying the state government would provide full cooperation to ensure the centre is established.
He said the state government would seek further information from the Federal Government through the relevant agencies.
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Centre for Education Studies senior lecturer and population ageing expert Dr Nik Norliati Fitri Md Nor said the establishment of NICE in Penang would strengthen professional care training, research and services, enhancing the state’s ability to address the challenges of an ageing population.
Citing the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s 2026 population estimates, she said Penang had about 1.81 million residents, with those aged 65 and above accounting for 8.8% of the population, up from 8.4% in 2025.
This represented about 159,000 senior citizens, she said.
Although 73.1% of Penang’s population remains within the working-age group, she said the proportion of senior citizens had exceeded the national average.
“There is a need for early planning for long-term care, healthcare and community support services,” she said.
Nik Norliati noted that both MBPP and the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) had joined the World Health Organisation’s Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities.
State Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said the establishment of NICE presents an important opportunity to strengthen Penang’s elderly care system.
In a statement, she said the centre could help promote professional nursing care, rehabilitation, psychological support and long-term care services.
She also welcomed the Federal Government’s move under Budget 2027 to increase assistance for senior citizens to RM1.3bil and its plan to introduce a Senior Citizens Care Act to provide greater protection for the elderly.
Lim said the government should also address the pressures faced by family caregivers by providing caregiving guidance, emotional support and referrals to relevant services.
She proposed that the Health Ministry and the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry strengthen coordination and clarify the registration, licensing and operational requirements for different elderly care facilities to ensure service quality and the safety of senior citizens.
“Social welfare should not focus solely on financial assistance. It must also address the challenges of an ageing population and the pressures faced by family caregivers, ensuring that those in need receive appropriate support in a timely manner,” she said.
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had announced in Budget 2027 that NICE centres would be established in Penang and Sarawak to promote training, research and the development of elderly care services.
The establishment of NICE is seen as an opportunity for Penang to better integrate healthcare, professional care services, caregiver training and community support.
Story by Edmund Lee