KUCHING: Elderly people are being warned against trusting strangers who might approach them for investment opportunities.
STAYING HEALTHY: Participants of Batu Kawah Taichi Shibashi staging a physical exercise. — Photo by Bong Yi Sien
Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Tan Joo Phoi noted that there were a number who had become prey to swindlers as they lacked awareness and ability to judge.
“We have learned stories about the older generation being conned by swindlers.
“Some of the elderly lost almost all their savings to these conmen and such unethical practice must be put to a stop,” he told the Batu Kawah Taichi Shibashi gathering at SJK Chung Hua Batu Kawah Basketball Court near here last Sunday night.
The Batu Kawah assemblyman pointed out that Taichi Shibashi societies here must educate their members, the majority of them middle aged and older, to avoid being tricked.
Besides promoting a healthy lifestyle, they should instill essential knowledge and skills into members so as to enhance awareness among the older generation, he emphasised.
“The elderly must be taught to guard their possessions.
“We can condemn swindlers but it is best we guide the aged to be on alert,” he added.
Tan said the state government supported activities like Taichi Shibashi gathering and hoped the societies concerned would carry on their effort to engage more people in promoting health.
He believed the gathering like that held on Sunday had offered an avenue for participants to learn from one another and have their ability elevated. In view of the coming state election, he called on the elderly to advise youngsters to analyse political issues in a rational and fair manner.
Everyone played a role to ensure that the Chinese community would continue being represented in the government or they risked losing some rights, he said.
“Whether they will enjoy their rights depends on their calls during the coming election,” he said, adding that their decision concerned the future of the Chinese community.