Penang launches special initiative to help senior citizens with casual employment

THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has launched a special initiative to help low- and middle-income senior citizens stay active and supplement their retirement through casual employment.

The initiative, called the Senior Citizens Empowerment Programme, aims to provide job opportunities to elderly individuals who are still healthy and represents efforts to showcase that Penang has among the highest ratio of senior citizens in the country.

While it is an accomplishment, as it shows good healthcare support services, MBPP Lord Mayor and president Datuk Anthony Rajendran wants senior citizens to be part of a thriving cosmopolitan city.

"The goal is to keep them engaged, productive, and connected to their community. This programme also allows senior citizens to continue socialising and feel valued within the community," said Rajendran.

It aligns with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guidelines under the Age-Friendly Cities framework, specifically Domain 6: Civic Participation and Employment.

“Part-time jobs will be offered to individuals aged 60 and above who are still fit and able to carry out tasks such as cleaning and maintaining public toilets, caring for community parks, maintaining and cleaning MBPP-owned offices and premises, as well as other tasks assigned from time to time based on operational needs,” Rajendran told the state bulletin - Bulletin Mutiara.

He added that senior citizens who are interested can visit MBPP’s Development Planning Department to fill an application form.

To date, six elderly have been hired under the programme, reporting for duty recently at the Development Planning Department.

 “This programme will be expanded from time to time to ensure the continued well-being and participation of senior citizens in Penang,” he added.

Meanwhile at the investiture for the 84th birthday of the Yang di - Pertua Negri (Governor) Tun Ramli Ngah Talib yesterday, Rajendran and with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow paid tribute to nine MBPP staffers who perform the 3D - dangerous, dirty and difficult jobs.

They were Omar Shariff Abdul Salam, K. Nirmal, Mohamad Firdaus Mohamad Noor, Mohyuddin Abdul Kadir Jailani, Mohamad Yusoff Abdul Aziz and Bazlan Osman.

The other three were from the Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) - Khairul Nizam Muhamad Rosli, Saidil Omar Awang and Zulkifli Yahaya.

They form the bulk of the councils' cleanliness division, who help clear debris and prevent flash floods from recurring by clearing clogged drainage. - July 31, 2025.