IPOH CITY COUNCIL RECEIVES COURTESY VISIT FROM YAYASAN HASANAH AND THINK CITY

Ipoh City Council (MBI) today received a courtesy visit from a Yayasan Hasanah and Think City delegation to discuss potential collaboration in strengthening the agenda for urban development that is inclusive, sustainable and senior citizen friendly. 

The Yayasan Hasanah delegation was led by Yayasan Hasanah Trustee and Managing Director Siti Kamariah Ahmad Subki, together with Social Enterprise Head Stanley Siva, Aged Care Economy Advisor Dr. Azimah Pilus, Community Development Head Lakshwin Muruga, and Norita Mohd. Bakri, Special Officer to the Yayasan Hasanah Managing Director. 

Also present were representatives from Think City, namely Think City Senior Manager Kishore Ramdass and Think City Manager Rose Afrina Mansor. 

The event was graced by the new Institut Darul Ridzuan (IDR) Chief Executive TPr. Dr. Zulqarnain Mohamad, who previously headed the MBI Ipoh Doughnut Economy Secretariat Unit and continues to support the continuity of strategic collaboration between IDR, Yayasan Hasanah and MBI. 

The delegation was welcomed by Ipoh City Council Secretary A'zman Mohd Harun at the Bunga Raya VIP Room, before being escorted to Dewan Azlan Shah to continue with the courtesy visit session. 

The sharing session began with a welcoming speech by MBI Town Planning Department Director TPr. Mohd Zainal Abdul Hamid, representing the Mayor of Ipoh. In his speech, he welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for the long-standing collaboration among MBI, Yayasan Hasanah, Think City and Institut Darul Ridzuan (IDR) in driving sustainable, inclusive and resilient urban development. 

The programme continued with a presentation and sharing session by Yayasan Hasanah Trustee and Managing Director Siti Kamariah Ahmad Subki on the progress of the Ipoh Elderly Care Sandbox implementation, including preliminary findings, implementation challenges, data-driven policymaking approach and the potential development of the Silver Economy as a catalyst for a more sustainable and inclusive elderly care ecosystem. 

During the discussion session, Ipoh City Council shared its role as a facilitator in supporting the Ipoh Elderly Care Sandbox implementation, particularly through aspects of urban planning, provision of infrastructure, senior citizen-friendly public facilities, as well as Planning Permission (KM) and licensing matters. 

Moreover, MBI proposed that Yayasan Hasanah consider establishing a financial support instrument to encourage enterprise and entrepreneurship development in the elderly care sector. This initiative has the potential to stimulate the growth of the Silver Economy, besides encouraging more entrepreneurs to obtain legitimate business licences and strengthening a more organised and sustainable elderly care ecosystem. 

In the sharing session, Institut Darul Ridzuan (IDR) commended MBI's efforts in strengthening urban sustainability through various planning initiatives, including the preparation of the Ipoh Walkable City Plan, which incorporates Universal Design principles to improve comfort and accessibility for all segments of society, especially senior citizens and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). 

In addition, MBI Town Planning Department is currently preparing a relevant Special Area Plan (RKK) as a step to strengthen a more conducive urban ecosystem. This approach is in line with the aspirations of the Perak Sejahtera 2030 Plan, which emphasises the importance of early preparation in facing challenges and opportunities arising from demographic changes. 

This meeting reflects the continuity of the long-standing collaboration among MBI, Yayasan Hasanah, IDR, Sunway Centre for Planetary Health (SCPH) and Think City through the implementation of the Ipoh Doughnut Economics initiative, which was introduced via the launch of "Ipoh Doughnut Economics: A City Portrait in Action 2025–2030" at the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Forum (ASUF) 2025. 

The Ipoh City Council always welcomes and appreciates collaboration with strategic partners in realising an urban development agenda that is sustainable, inclusive and resilient for the wellbeing of all residents of Ipoh City.