Harapan manifesto to address ageing population, climate change

Addressing an ageing population and presenting a climate change agenda is part of Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto, said DAP central executive committee (CEC) member Howard Lee.

Should Harapan recapture Putrajaya in the 15th general election (GE15), he said the opposition pact will push for the tabling of a National Care Economy and Ageing Community Preparedness Plan in Parliament.

“The Harapan government will for sure, not only legislate and implement policies, but also table the plan to Parliament.

“Malaysia is an ageing nation if we go by statistics and standards of the United Nations.

“Do we want it to be a situation where we have a high degree of an ageing population without enough carers to care for them, or do we want to do something now?” he said.

Lee (above) was speaking to reporters at the ‘Manifesto Dialogue bersama Rakyat’ event organised by Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia at the Kuala Lumpur-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall today.

Citing UN statistics that 17 percent of the nation’s population will be 65 and above by 2040, the incumbent Pasir Pinji assemblyperson stressed that the demand for caregiving will increase tremendously.

“The plan will also look into providing incentives and allowances to caregivers. Those who are caregivers should not be made to decide between their career and taking care of their elderly parents.”

RM50k per household

In addition, he said Harapan will push for a climate change agenda to ensure there is financial coverage for every affected household.

“When Pasir Pinji was hit by a tornado, the aid delivery process was atrocious and the people suffered.

“What has been discussed is how can we leverage and mobilise an all-of-society approach to deliver aid, especially with extreme weather conditions.

“We are talking about a coverage of up to RM50,000 per household per incident and the idea is to be able to mobilise all resources including the private sector to deliver aid.”

Other pledges, he said, include ensuring equal living wages for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) practitioners.

PN's promise to Kelantan: Oil royalty will flow

COMMENT | Youth vote will be determining factor in GE15

GE15: Social media tests maturity of young voters

Ismail Sabri: Choose Budget 2023, not promises of moon and stars