Taking it easy: Ooi (centre) spending time with other residents at the Thean Oon Senior Home. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Senior citizens who struggle with living expenses are seeing a comforting prospect in the increased welfare aid announced in Budget 2025.
Lim Lay Hoon, 71, a resident of an old folks home in Carnarvon Street for the past year, expressed relief over the additional RM100 in aid for the elderly.
“This increase will help ease my burden. I have monthly expenses for medication and other necessities,” she said.
Lim chose to stay in the home to relieve her son, who relocated to Kedah for work, of extra financial expenses.
While she appreciates the government’s timely support, she hoped for additional services for nursing homes.
“Maybe the government can help old folks homes with some monthly cash aid so that they can better care for our well-being,” said Lim.
During the tabling of Budget 2025, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an allocation of RM13bil for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah, the largest cash aid package.
This includes an increase in welfare aid for senior citizens from RM500 to RM600 a month and RM1bil designated for cash aid and allowances for senior citizen institutions and activity centres.
Another resident, who wished to be identified only as Chan, was grateful for the extra support.
“With the extra money, I can buy gifts for my grandchildren who visit me every month,” said the 75-year-old former labourer, who has lived at the home for three years after a heart attack.
However, not all residents are experiencing the same relief.
Ooi Ah Choon, 71, a former security guard living at the home since 2021, reported difficulties in obtaining cash aid from the state Welfare Department for the past two years.
“I only have one son, who earns a meagre income as a hawker, and I believe I should be eligible for support as I belong to the B40 group,” Ooi stated, expressing his intent to apply again.
The trio are among residents of the Thean Oon Senior Home, which currently shelters 92 residents aged 42 to 92.
The home’s manager, Koay Chee Kean, 53, said the increased funding would enhance healthcare access and expand welfare programmes for seniors.
“It will also create stronger social support networks, ensuring elderly citizens receive the care and services they need,” he said, urging government agencies to distribute the funds fairly.
“With this initiative, the government’s aim to create a more inclusive society that values and supports its ageing population will materialise,” Koay added.
In Kepala Batas, Darul Hanan Care Centre supervisor Mohd Nassir Sulaiman called the Budget announcement timely for many institutions.
“It will help many of us, especially towards the maintenance of facilities,” he said, adding that it is important for these institutions to be financially healthy so that the quality of care given to the residents can be improved.
The Darul Hanan home currently houses 102 residents aged between 60 and 95.
