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Kota Kinabalu: The City Hall (DBKK) is intensifying efforts to prepare the state capital for an ageing population after surpassing the World Health Organisation (WHO) threshold for an ageing society.

Mayor Datuk Seri Sabin Samitah said DBKK is improving pedestrian infrastructure, upgrading public facilities and strengthening collaboration with agencies such as the Social Welfare Department and non-governmental organisations to better support senior citizens.

He said initiatives, including the My.bas public transport project will enhance accessibility, with 48 pink buses expected to be operational by the end of June, offering concession cards for elderly commuters across eight routes.

Statistics from the Department of Statistics Malaysia show that 7.6 per cent of Kota Kinabalu’s population is aged 65 and above, exceeding the WHO’s seven per cent benchmark, while Sabah records 6.4 per cent, and the national average stands at eight per cent.

Sabin said the efforts form part of DBKK’s broader plan to build a more liveable and inclusive city, as Malaysia is projected to become an ageing nation by 2030 with more than 15 per cent of its population aged 60 and above.