KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 — The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) aims to set up more senior citizen activity centres (PAWE) in parliamentary constituencies which do not have one yet.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the move was to enable more senior citizens across the country to have access to facilities to carry out activities or programmes at the community level, thus ensuring that the group remains active and productive.

"Currently, there are 161 PAWE in 146 parliamentary constituencies across the country, which are used by more than 52,000 senior citizens.

"Approval of the establishment of a PAWE is based on five main criteria, namely location, elderly population, driving community, premises and the support of the Social Welfare Department (JKM) in the district and state,” she said, when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Meanwhile, Nancy said that KPWKM is of the view that the role played by the National Senior Citizens Advisory and Consultative Council (MPPWEN) is sufficient thus far.

She said that MPPWEN, which was established under the National Policy for Older Persons (DWEN) and the Action Plan for Older Persons (PTWEN), comprised representatives of relevant ministries, private parties, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), geriatric experts and academics who specialise in the senior citizen field.

"The implementation of DWEN and PTWEN is a regular agenda item in council (MPPWEN) meetings, held twice a year and chaired by myself as the minister responsible for welfare affairs.

"DWEN and PTWEN are a strong government commitment to create independent, dignified and respected senior citizens, by optimising their potential through healthy, positive, active, productive and supportive ageing,” she said. — Bernama