SHAH ALAM, Oct 1 — The Selangor government is exploring the possibility of converting abandoned buildings into senior care and activity centres as part of preparations for an ageing population.
State executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari said Selangor is placing emphasis on strengthening guidelines for care centres and enhancing the management of old buildings to ensure they remain relevant and responsive to current needs.
She added that the proposal will be aligned with the Selangor Greater Klang Valley (SGKV) Comprehensive Development Plan.
“The improvements do not just involve the physical aspects of the building, but must be comprehensively designed to take into account demographic changes and the aspirations of today’s society.
“I do not rule out the possibility of policy amendments at the local council level to allow such premises to be reused.
“If they comply with safety and functional requirements, abandoned buildings can be revived as senior care centres or community activity centres,” she said after officiating the Sabak Bernam district-level Jelajah Ceria Selangor programme at Dewan Bagan Terap, Sungai Besar, yesterday.
Anfaal said the development of the care sector cannot be driven by the government alone, but must be supported through strategic partnerships with the private sector.
“Social facilities such as care centres cannot be operated solely as government entities. They must be developed through social-commercial collaboration that provides mutual benefits.
“We need to create more flexible yet safe guidelines, allowing a single space to combine both commercial and social uses simultaneously,” she said.
Previously, residents had proposed that the long-abandoned SS2 shopping centre in Petaling Jaya, which has stood idle for over a decade, be repurposed into community facilities including an activity centre for senior citizens.
