By Dr Rahim Said
As I inch toward my 79th birthday this December — 79 going on 80, depending on the condition of my joints — I sometimes wonder which of my classmates from 1946 will still be around to blow the candles with me.
Our Form 6 WhatsApp group now sounds less like old friends catching up and more like a live update from a hospital ward. Every few weeks, someone types, “Guys… sad news…” and we all hold our breath. At this point, I’m half-expecting the December 1st celebration to look like a survivors’ club meeting.
Malaysia, it seems, is catching up with us. By 2048, we’ll hit 14% officially — yes, somehow the numbers feel upside down, but that’s ageing for you. Even statistics get blurry. Anyway, by 2048, all of us would be 102 if we survived that long.
In response, Putrajaya has launched the National Ageing Blueprint 2025–2045, which promises to prepare Malaysia for an older society.
It focuses on six pillars: economy, employment, education, social protection, health, and long-term care — essentially everything except the one thing we seniors actually need most: clear signage and chairs everywhere.
The Public Service Department’s Pension Division Director assures us that processes are being digitalised so pensioners get benefits faster. Wonderful. Now all we need is a pensioner who enjoys digitalisation.
Most of us still can’t remember our email passwords. But if the government can really make pensions appear with fewer forms and fewer waits, I say give them the Nobel Prize.
At the MyPesara Carnival in Kota Bharu, they celebrated “active ageing” — presumably the kind that involves more aerobic dancing and less falling asleep in front of the TV.
The star was Wan Noriah Wan Ramli, 69, who used her own pension to build a community centre for persons with disabilities. She won RM50,000 for her effort, and frankly, she deserves every sen. At her age, she’s doing more for the country than many policymakers half her age.
But behind the cheerful speeches and colourful booths lies the real question: What on earth do we do with an entire nation growing old at the same time? (And more importantly, how do I convince my last remaining classmates to attend my birthday party before it’s too late?)
Here’s my short, cynical list:
1. Treat seniors as assets, not expired goods.
Many of us still have skills, wisdom, and sarcasm to contribute. Some even remember where they put their glasses.
2. Build proper long-term care, because family members can’t do everything.
Especially children who say things like, “Dad, why are you still driving?” and then proceed to crash the car themselves.
3. Start financial planning early.
Preferably before retirement age, not after you’ve spent half your EPF on your daughter’s wedding and the other half on durians.
4. Promote intergenerational respect.
Younger Malaysians need to realise that ageing is just youth… continued long enough.
Malaysia is ageing, whether we like it or not. But if the nation plans well — and if my surviving 1946 classmates don’t chicken out on December 1st — we might just turn those golden years into something meaningful, dignified, and yes, occasionally hilarious. In the meantime, I’ll prepare extra cake slices… just in case more of us make it than expected.
WE