Housing minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said today the corporation would come up with the model concept and collaborate with strategic partners to develop several retirement villages on its land.

“We have a few parties who are interested and they will come up with proposals. We will see what is their business model and concept, and work with them,” she said when addressing the Malaysian Population Aging Forum held virtually today.

The corporation was preparing a draft policy to focus on what senior citizens need to live in a harmonious environment with adequate health facilities.

Zuraida said the establishment of retirement villages was a new business model adopted by PR1MA so as to provide a well-facilitated, well-equipped and sophisticated infrastructure for senior citizens.

The proposed retirement villages are likely to be ready in 2023 and would be a low-rise development in strategic locations in Penang and Melaka, chosen for their suitable surroundings and peaceful environment.

“It is important to have retirement villages because when people grow older, they will be looking for a different concept of living as they want to be with their peer group to share ideas, knowledge and socialise.

“They have to come together in one community so that they can be productive. A healthy old age means giving them the opportunity to interact with their peer group and doing activities at their own pace.”

On the cost of staying in the retirement villages, Zuraida said it would be affordable, ranging between RM400 and RM600 per month depending on the facilities and cares they would need.

Zuraida said there are currently two million senior citizens aged 60 and above in Malaysia.

She pointed out that a long-term plan was needed to assist the ageing population so that the government would spend less in terms of healthcare, hospitalisation and medication.