Old Folks

When I get older losing my hair,
Many years from now............

Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I am sixty-four.
(From the Beatles' "When I am 64")

Last Friday, a colleague, on entering the office, exclaimed that he just "saw this old and bald man walking hand in hand with this pretty young lady". As expected a discussion ensued and amongst others, centered on whether the "sweet young thing" was the old man's darling or his daughter. In the end everybody was left to their own conclusions.

My thoughts on this was, did it matter who the lady was? If we stop moralizing, we may even laud the SYT for helping the old man LIVE his life, whatever their motivation. In their twilight years the old would welcome such gestures of care for all their contribution to family and country.

And do Malaysia and Malaysians care? I am not so sure that this happens widely.

Anyone who uses public transport would have, at one time or another, noticed how the old are sidelined in the rush to board the bus or train. If they lucky to squeeze through and board they have another battle, to find a seat. This is just an example but, if you care to think about it , you can find many more.

Corporate Malaysia also shows traces of this "unfriendliness" to the old. It would appear that a lot of our companies have not heard of "concessions". How meaningfull it would be to a retiree if he can get discounts for travel, entertainment or dining. It will help to stretch his/her retirement funds a bit. Don't they deserve a better life at this stage of their life.

What about the notoriously long queues and wait at Government clinics, departments and office. Even the young and able-bodied are drained of their energy. What more the warga tua ? Surely priority according to age should be the order of the day thereat. The powers that be are not that friendly to the old, are they?

Enough said.