KUCHING, Oct 2026: Sarawak has about 365,000 people aged 60 years and above or just over 14 per cent out of a total population of 2.54 million this year, said Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian.
He said Sarawak will be the first state in Malaysia to be classified as aging population by next year or in 2028 when more than 15 per cent of the population are above 60 years old.
Dr Sim, quoting the Department of Statistics, said some of the districts in Sarawak have already reached an ageing society last year with a population of 60 years and above.
Citing an example, he said Lubok Antu has 22.6 per cent of its population aged 60 years and above.
He added Saratok has 19.7 per cent of population 60 years and above, Simanggang 19.2 per cent, Kabong 18.8 per cent and Song, 18.3 per cent.
He also said 40 per cent of the stranded cases in the Sarawak General Hospital are aged 60 years and above.
"Sarawak needs to address the ageing society with healthy ageing and preventative health, long-term care and integrated health services," he wrote on his Facebook.
He said the state also needs age-friendly communities and housing, financial security and productive ageing, family social connection and mental well-being and digital, transport and rural inclusion.
Dr Sim Sarawak currently has four geriatric medical specialists in government services and two in private practice.
"There is an urgent need for more multidiscipline, such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists and rehabilitation professionals, geriatric structured training and continuing mentorship for hospital and community care as well as a new transitional care service," he said.
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