Klojen (malangkota.go.id) – Malang Mayor Drs. H. Sutiaji inaugurated the Representative Board of the Abiyoso Gerontology Foundation (YGA) of Malang City for the 2023-2028 Term of Service in the Meeting Room of Malang City Hall, Wednesday (15/3/2023).
In his speech, Malang Mayor Sutiaji gave his support and appreciation for the inauguration of the YGA Malang City management. "Their social spirit is still young, their devotion spirit is still young even though they are already old (Malang language derived from the word tuwek which means old). Age may be old but their souls are still young. Age may be old but their health is still young," he said encouragingly.
Furthermore, Sutiaji said that the Malang City Government (Pemkot) is paying attention to vulnerable groups, including the elderly. The plan is that in 2023 there will be elderly-friendly parks, as well as disabled and child-friendly parks. Likewise with the integrated service post (posyandu), Sutiaji said that the facilities will also be improved.
"So from birth to old age will be facilitated. Because we will continue to strengthen the life expectancy and happiness. The number of elderly in Malang City continues to increase, so we anticipate that when the number of elderly increases, it means that life expectancy increases. When life expectancy increases, it means that the level of welfare and happiness increases," he explained.
Sutiaji also mentioned that five percent of the Regional Budget (APBD) has been distributed to the sub-districts that also oversee the Karang Werda. "This year's grants for the elderly have also begun to be distributed around 90 million rupiah. Also for other elderly forums, such as Pepabri, LVRI, and others," explained the number one person in the Malang City Government.
Meanwhile, Malang Deputy Mayor Ir. Sofyan Edi Jarwoko who is also the Head of the Malang City Elderly Committee said that old age must be prepared. In realizing this, the government cannot work alone, there must be support from various parties including community organizations.
"Hopefully in the future YGA will play a more active role in its struggle, especially in helping the government and the community to realize healthy elderly, prosperous elderly, independent elderly, and ultimately happy elderly. All of that is valuable capital in building resources, especially the elderly. So that in the end Malang City becomes an elderly-friendly city," said the man who is often called Bung Edi.
Mr. Edi said that the government supports various programs initiated by organizations such as YGA by providing assistance, facilitation, including grant funds.
Responding to this, the Head of YGA Malang City, Prof. Dr. dr. Djanggan Sargowo, Sp.PD, Sp.JP(K), FIHA, FACC said that his party wants to help the government to improve the welfare and happiness of the elderly. He said that Malang City is a city that is being eyed by retirees.
"The city of Malang is calm, clean, and cool, encouraging retirees to want to live in Malang which is peaceful, prosperous, and dignified," said Djanggan.
In addition, through YGA, the elderly are also ready to oversee government programs to achieve a healthy, independent, active, and productive Malang City. And realize what has been planned, namely creating elderly integrated health posts, elderly-friendly health centers, elderly-friendly hospitals, and elderly parks.
"This proves the concern of the City Government (of Malang) together with the Abiyoso Gerontology Foundation to provide adequate facilities for the elderly in Malang City to be able to live peacefully, cleanly, healthily and with dignity," he continued.
On this occasion, YGA Malang City asked for support from the Malang City Government so that the National Elderly Commission remains. Djanggan said that the National Elderly Commission has a big role in realizing the welfare of the elderly community. (ari/yon)
