GEORGE TOWN: Penang is well on its way to becoming an Age-Friendly City by December next year.
At present, preparations are in full gear to fulfil the eight frameworks outlined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to become an Age-Friendly City.
Penang has been chosen as the pilot project as the state has the second highest ageing population.
Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society (MHAS) president Professor Dr Shahrul Bahyah Kamaruzzaman said the society acted as a consultant to the Penang government to ensure the success of the Age-Friendly City project.
She said there were eight frameworks, which included health, outdoor spaces, employability, social participation and transport, among others, to ensure the success of the Age-Friendly City project.
"The initiatives under all these frameworks have started with the help of various stakeholders.
"Once we are able to fully fulfil the frameworks, then Penang can be declared an Age-Friendly City. We expect that to be in December next year," she told newsmen here today.
She was met after the launch of the 3rd Asean Conference on Healthy Ageing 2024 here.
Dr Shahrul said Ipoh and Taiping were the first to embark on the Age-Friendly City project.
However, the progress was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sibu has also joined in the fray with Petaling Jaya following suit.
"So, we (Penang) are competing with all these cities.
"Penang is on the right track, more so with the state's Penang 2030 Vision in place, which provides equality to all," she added.