Majlis Makan Malam Santunan Kasih Celebrates Perak’s Growing Community of Professional Caregivers
As Malaysia moves towards becoming an ageing nation, the demand for skilled and compassionate caregivers continues to grow. In Perak, that future is already taking shape.
The Majlis Makan Malam Santunan Kasih, held on 7 July 2026 at MH Hotel Ipoh, was more than just a celebratory dinner. It was an evening dedicated to recognising the commitment, resilience and achievements of those who have chosen to serve one of society’s most meaningful professions: caring for older persons.
The event also marked the closing ceremony for the 2026 KAIGO-Lite: The Essence of Caregiving Programme and the Professional Elderly Care Certification Course, bringing together graduates, alumni, training providers, government agencies and strategic partners who have contributed to the success of this growing initiative.
Building a Stronger Caregiving Workforce
Perak has long been recognised as Malaysia’s leading ageing state, recording the highest proportion of senior citizens among all states. As the state’s elderly population continues to grow, the need for a well-trained caregiving workforce has become increasingly important.
Recognising this demographic shift, the Perak State Government introduced the Santunan Kasih initiative in 2023, with a focus on developing professional caregivers through structured TVET programmes. What began as an effort to equip family caregivers and volunteers with practical knowledge has since evolved into a recognised pathway towards professional certification.
Participants undergo intensive training lasting between three and four months, culminating in the award of the Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM) and professional certification, preparing them for careers within Malaysia’s expanding elderly care industry.
This year’s intake celebrated the graduation of 60 new caregivers, adding to an impressive pool of almost 400 graduates produced since the programme began in 2023.
The initiative is implemented through PASAK (Pusat Aspirasi Anak Perak) in collaboration with the Secretariat for Women and Community Development (Wanita Perak), with four accredited training providers delivering industry-relevant courses that meet real workforce needs.
From a Simple Idea to a Statewide Success Story
During her keynote address, YB Dato’ Salbiah Binti Mohamed, Chairperson of the Perak State Committee for Women Development, Family, Social Welfare, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, reflected on how the programme first began.
She shared that when she assumed the portfolio in early 2023, Perak had just been officially recognised as an ageing state. While discussions about an ageing population were becoming more common, there was still uncertainty over what practical steps should be taken.
It was through conversations with industry practitioners and caregiving advocates that the idea behind Santunan Kasih was born.
Initially, the programme was intended to help individuals caring for elderly family members acquire proper caregiving skills. Many of the earliest participants were volunteers from the Department of Social Welfare (JKM), while others simply wanted to learn how to care for ageing parents or loved ones at home.
Today, that modest beginning has evolved into a structured TVET programme that produces certified caregivers whose skills are now sought after beyond Perak.
Caregiving is More Than Technical Skills
One of the strongest messages throughout the evening was that caregiving extends far beyond medical knowledge or practical techniques.
Both the KAIGO-Lite programme and the Professional Elderly Care Certification Course were designed not merely to teach procedures, but to nurture empathy, patience, compassion and professionalism.
The philosophy behind the initiative centres on a simple yet powerful belief: People caring for people.
Successful caregivers require technical competence, but equally important are kindness, emotional resilience, and genuine concern for the wellbeing of others. These qualities are becoming increasingly valuable as Malaysia’s ageing population continues to expand.
Supporting the Silver Economy Through TVET
The programme also aligns closely with the Perak Sejahtera 2030 development agenda.
Rather than viewing elderly care solely as a welfare issue, the State Government recognises it as an important component of the emerging Silver Economy, an economic sector driven by services and products designed to support the elderly.
By investing in specialised TVET training, Perak is simultaneously improving social wellbeing while creating meaningful employment opportunities for its people.
Graduates are now recognised as strategic human capital capable of elevating professional caregiving services throughout the state and beyond.
Careers with Real Economic Impact
Perhaps the most inspiring part of the evening came from the stories shared by programme alumni.
The initiative has already demonstrated measurable economic benefits.
According to statistics shared during the ceremony:
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Even more remarkable were the personal success stories shared on stage.
One graduate revealed earning RM7,000 in one month, while another proudly shared that her income reached RM15,000 in a single month through professional caregiving services.
These examples illustrate how specialised caregiving has become a viable and rewarding career path while simultaneously addressing an increasingly important social need.
Partners Behind the Success
The evening acknowledged the organisations whose collaboration has helped transform the programme into one of Perak’s successful TVET initiatives.
Certificates of appreciation were presented to the programme’s four accredited training providers:
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Special appreciation was also extended to PASAK and Wanita Perak, whose close collaboration has ensured the smooth implementation of the programme since its inception.
The dinner itself served as a gesture of gratitude from the Perak State Government to everyone involved, from organisers and trainers to graduates and strategic partners, for their shared commitment to strengthening elderly care services across the state.
With nearly 400 trained caregivers already produced, the programme continues to gain momentum.
The State Government announced that new caregiving-related courses are expected to be introduced next year, further expanding opportunities for those interested in joining the healthcare and elderly care sectors through PASAK’s TVET initiatives.
As demand for professional caregivers continues to rise nationwide, Perak is positioning itself as a leading producer of skilled local talent equipped to meet future challenges.
Interested individuals may log on to the Pusat Aspirasi Anak Perak website at https://perakpasak.org/ or follow its official Facebook page at @perakpasakorg for updates on new intakes.
Event: Majlis Makan Malam Santunan Kasih
Venue: MH Hotel, Ipoh
Date: 7th July 2026
Time: 8pm
