Metro

Saturday May 17, 2008

Youthful side of senior citizens

By CAROLYN OOI


OCTOGENARIANS and nonagenarians from the Penang Senior Citizens Association ushered in the "80 Years And Above" celebration with lots of food, fun and merriment.

To kick start the party, the two most senior of the group, Chan Gaik Sung, 93, and Tan Khoon Hoi, 92, accompanied by association president Lawrence Cheah, Penang Health, Welfare and Caring Society Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh and the over 80-year-olds were given the honour to cut a large birthday cake.

The golden couples dancing the night away at the Penang Senior Citizens Association Celebrating 80 Years And Above bash.

The 500-odd golden birthday boys and girls and party guests cheered on by aptly rendering the song You Will Never Grow Old instead of Happy Birthday.

The golden citizens were then given a box of mee sua (flour vermicelli) – traditionally served during birthdays for the elderly to symbolise longevity and an ang pow each for good luck.

To keep the mood going, the golden boys and girls then showed their youthful side as they waltzed on the dance floor to the beat of a two-piece band and danced the night away.

Cheah said the event was a success as many senior citizens above 80 attended the event.

Earlier in his speech, he said senior citizens, especially the underprivileged faced many problems especially in getting affordable housing.

Phee (right) and Cheah (left) wishing nonagenarian Chan Gaik Sung, 93, a happy birthday.

“We hope the state government could look into providing single unit flats for senior citizens who are living alone.

“We also hope the state government could look into specialised care for senior citizens in the northern region and a centre for them to gather and use as a second home. We believe it is important to provide them with better quality life,” he said.

Phee said the younger generation should honour and acknowledge the contributions of senior citizens.

“You have, in your prime, worked hard to build the system, economy and develop the country and today, we’re enjoying the fruits of your labour.

“Here, I am looking at a pot of knowledge. We respect your views and do not hesitate to tell us if we’re doing something wrong,” he said.

The golden boys and girls showing off their flair at rock n roll on the dancefloor.

He said among the issues that the state government would be tackling were accessibility, affordability and availability of medical treatment and housing for senior citizens.

“I will press for a charity ward at Penang Hospital as the state government believes in the 3As – accessibility, affordability and avai-lability.

He said there were more than 7,500 vacant houses and the state government would resolve the issue of vacant houses and provide more low and medium cost housing to the people.

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