GOLDEN AGE NOT A BARRIER TO CONTINUED SERVICE - LEE LAM THYE

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- In an effort to reshape public perceptions of retirement, today’s ‘MyWellFair: Supporting Mental Well-being Together - Rewirement Not Retirement’ event highlighted a “rewirement” approach aimed at empowering senior citizens to stay active and continue contributing to society even after leaving the workforce.

 Chairman of the Safe Community Alliance Organisation, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, said the approach focuses on shifting the mindset that retirement should not limit senior citizens’ ability to remain engaged or useful to the community.

 “I believe senior citizens are a special group because of their service across many fields. They have accumulated valuable experience and should share this knowledge with the community, especially the young generation,” he told Bernama at the programme here.

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He said the conference, attended by various non-governmental organisations (NGOs), also provided opportunities for senior citizens to interact, participate in community activities and offer their services to those in need.

Lee, who will turn 80 soon, is himself an example that age is no barrier to continued service.

“Although some may consider me old, I still have the interest and enthusiasm to serve the community.

“I took the initiative to establish the Safe Community Alliance Organisation because of the extensive experience I gained working at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

“I believe my contributions can bring meaningful benefits to those who need them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Third Age Media Association founding president Cheah Tuck Wing said the conventional notion of retirement frequently leads to loss of identity, social isolation and declining mental health.

“According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023, the prevalence of mental health problems among adults in Malaysia has risen to 29.2 per cent, nearly three in 10 Malaysians.

“While this affects all age groups, the impact is especially significant for older persons,” he said in his speech.

Cheah, who is also the chairman of the Malaysian Coalition on Ageing (MCOA), said the concept of rewirement encourages senior citizens to channel their skills, knowledge, and time into meaningful activities such as mentoring, volunteering, and community engagement, rather than withdrawing from society.

-- BERNAMA