Today (Jun 15) is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), and the PAP stands with the United Nations in loudly saying “NO!” to causing harm and distress to our seniors.
The PAP is a long-time champion of the Silver Generation. We focus especially on improving our Pioneer and Merdeka Generations’ quality of life, care and security. Datuk, Nenek, Ah Gong and Ah Ma all had the mettle to turn Singapore global and First World — it is only right that their silver years are shining ones.
So PAP MPs like Murali Pillai (Bukit Batok SMC) and Nadia Samdin (Ang Mo Kio GRC) walk through their wards to bring forth the stories of elderly residents and give help when needed.
Hospital bed loans and a vibrant care community
“I recently received a request from Mr Chee on behalf of his 92-year-old aunt, Mdm Mary Tan. He asked for a hospital bed for her,” posted MP Murali this Wednesday (Jun 14).
“In response, I activated our hospital bed loan programme to supply hospital beds to bed-bound residents. This programme, which I set up with the assistance of a Bukit Batok well-wisher around 2016, has provided assistance to a good number of our residents to date.”
Source: Murali Pillai / Facebook
Indeed, back in 2021, MP Murali delivered an electric hospital bed to another Bukit Batok family within 24 hours.
Those living in Bukit Batok can contact MP Murali at mpsbukitbatok@gmail.com for similar hospital bed loans and for community volunteering opportunities.
Elsewhere in Singapore, MP Nadia recently spent her day around Ang Mo Kio approaching her senior residents to render aid.
“Reading letters to clarify and give assurance so aunty didn’t need to walk all the way to the government agency’s office, checking in on uncle’s old injury.. grateful for the chance to be part of my residents lives ,” she posted (Jun 6).
Source: Nadia Samdin / Facebook
Oh, and that ruby red mobility device in the right-side photo? Uncle received this sleek “Race Car” from the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), MP Nadia posted previously (May 11). The AIC has been working to create a vibrant care community enabling our people to live well and age gracefully — the Silver Generation Office including.
“Ensuring that neglected elderly parents are adequately supported”
Another PAP MP is taking positive action for Singapore’s seniors at the policy level.
MP Seah Kian Peng (Marine Parade GRC) aims for a more financially secure old age for seniors.
He spoke in Parliament last month about amending the Maintenance of Parents Act 1995 (MPA) to better protect aged parents as well as their children.
Source: Seah Kian Peng / Facebook
“We propose to amend the MPA to enhance the powers of the Tribunal and the Commissioner in ensuring that neglected elderly parents are adequately supported,” he said.
“Second, we propose to put in place new processes to prevent the misuse of the MPA by parents who have abandoned, abused or neglected their children.”
“In so doing, we also protect and spare their children from unnecessary distress,” MP Seah nuanced.
MP Seah will speak more on these changes to the Maintenance of Parents Act during the July session of Parliament. The House will also debate it.
Look for Petir.sg in July, when we publish breaking coverage of this PAP initiative for protecting Singapore’s seniors from financial abuse.
Editor’s note: For more on our Party’s efforts to protect Singapore’s seniors, click here.
