Honorarium increase will produce more volunteers by 2030 - Rina

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun said more volunteers are needed to cater to the needs of senior citizens when the country reached ageing nation status when senior citizens constitute 15 per cent of the population.

“The increase in the number of volunteers will also help create a community that is more concerned and care for each other,” she said during the post Budget 2021 press conference here yesterday.

In tabling of Budget 2021 on Nov 6, the government announced that the honorarium value for volunteers under the programme would be increased from RM150 to RM400.

Rina said volunteers living in senior citizen neighbourhood would be given training and each of them would have to take care of a maximum of four elderly ‘clients’ who live alone or are bedridden.

Volunteers must also visit their elderly clients once a week or four times a month, she added.

“In total, a volunteer needs to do 16 visits and bring along some gifts.

“Senior citizens who live alone will usually feel lonely and need someone to talk to. Visits by volunteers can help this group,” she said.