The number of elderly citizens is expected to rise
                 to 1.7 million, or 7.2 per cent of the population then

                 KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia will be classified as an
                 ageing nation by the year 2005 when the number of
                 elderly citizens is expected to rise to 1.7 million, or 7.2
                 per cent of the population.

                 Health Minister Chua Jui Meng said the country's
                 population was estimated at 22.2 million as of last year.

                 This included 1.3 million senior citizens or 5.9 per cent
                 of the total population.

                 Malaysia's population growth per annum is forecast at
                 2.4 per cent.

                 "Even though being old signifies broad knowledge and
                 experience, it is also associated with morbidity and
                 chronic illness," he said at a dinner to recognise senior
                 citizens' contributions.

                 He said Malaysia had defined the elderly to be those
                 aged 60 and above.

                 Quoting a 1995 study by the ministry, Datuk Chua said
                 82 per cent of the elderly claimed to suffer from at least
                 one chronic disease and another 13 per cent three or
                 more chronic medical conditions.

                 He said the same study also found that 50 per cent of
                 the elderly claimed to suffer from chronic joint pain, 40
                 per cent had eyesight problems and 21 per cent difficulty
                 in hearing.

                 In addition, 27 per cent of them had hypertension, 16
                 per cent heart disease and 12 per cent diabetes.

                 He said senior citizens should be encouraged to practise
                 a healthy lifestyle.

                 "We also have to change society's perception of old age
                 and involve our senior citizens in... useful participation in
                 the family and community," he said.

                 Initiatives should also be made to promote and
                 encourage useful employment of senior citizens as the
                 country was now facing a labour shortage, he said. --
                 Bernama, The Star/Asia News

                       Adapted from The Straits Times, 14 Feb 2000.