At 93 years old, Lily Tan of Miri, Sarawak, demonstrates a commitment to an active lifestyle that belies her age. Recently, Tan prepared a large batch of acar Sarawak, a traditional sweet-and-sour pickled vegetable dish, in anticipation of her youngest daughter’s visit. Known among her family for both her culinary skills and energetic spirit, Tan remains engaged in activities such as cooking, baking, gardening, and regular social interactions.
Tan, who retired at 53 after working as a secretary for an oil and gas company in Miri, attributes her vitality to continuous activity. She maintains a daily routine starting with early mornings spent tending her garden before the heat intensifies. Nutrition also plays a key role in her regimen, with a consistent breakfast of bread, cheese, a half-boiled egg, and black coffee. Despite some hearing challenges and age-related macular degeneration, Tan stays connected via technology, often using video calls to interact with family and share her culinary techniques.
Her story aligns with a broader trend observed among Malaysia’s ageing population. The country officially became an ageing nation in 2021, when those aged 65 and above reached seven percent of the total population. Projections indicate Malaysia will be classified as an aged nation by 2048, with seniors expected to account for 14 percent. Factors such as increased life expectancy and declining fertility rates contribute to this demographic shift.
Public figures similarly emphasize staying physically and mentally active in later life. Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, now 101, has spoken on the importance of engaging in various activities like walking, horse riding, and cycling to maintain energy and vitality. Adventurer Yusuf Hashim, aged 80, exemplifies active ageing through extensive travel and organizing expeditions to remote regions such as Antarctica and the Arctic, encouraging seniors to take control of their lives and pursue their passions.
Experts in geriatric health stress the value of maintaining physical fitness and social connections among older adults. Dr Tan Maw Pin, a professor of geriatric medicine at Universiti Malaya, highlights regular exercise—including strength, balance, and walking activities—as essential for preventing muscle loss, frailty, and falls. She also emphasizes early detection and management of chronic diseases, along with vaccinations against illnesses like influenza, pneumococcal infections, and Covid-19 to safeguard seniors’ health.
Through examples like Lily Tan and others, Malaysia’s elderly population offers a testament to resilience and the benefits of an engaged, disciplined lifestyle as the nation navigates its demographic changes. Seniors embracing activity, nutrition, social interaction, and health care measures are setting a model for active ageing in the years ahead.