Senior Citizen aka Warga Emas(in Malaysia)

Senior Citizen sitting on a park bench reading newspaper for pleasure . My apology for not contribute any post on Skywatch-Friday and ABC-Wednesday for this week, anyway Happy SkyWatch & ABC to all of you out there.

There are many senior citizens at this place padang pasir(sand field in English..correct if wrong)
But I did not see any desert here in Kuching..well, no one knows the story behind the name of padang pasir for this place.Beside hang out at coffee shop the senior citizen in Kuching prefer this place to relax,meeting old friends and walk down memory lane.
I read one article and it was reported the Japanese senior citizen played an important role in boosting the country faltering economy.
What about in Malaysia is senior citizen are no longer useful.
Read the article below qouted from The Star.

THE next time you visit a Secret Recipe outlet, you will likely have a senior citizen taking your order or serving you the cakes.

The cakes-and-cafe chain is extending 50 job opportunities in its service line to senior citizens as its latest corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.

“In light of the current economic situation, we understand that there may be senior adults or retirees in need of jobs to supplement their household incomes, and it is not easy for them to get employment. With this project, we hope to ease their burden,” said Secret Recipe chief executive officer Datuk Steven Sim.

According to him, the senior adults who are currently working with the company have contributed significantly to its success.

Gainfully employed: (From left) Law, Karomah and Khaw are happy to be working at Secret Recipe.

“They are more focused, and have a strong sense of dedication and commitment to the company,” he noted.

One of them is Khaw Kai Pheng, 70, who is in charge of the logistics department that handles orders from almost the whole of Peninsular Malaysia.

In other words, he has to make sure that orders from some 150 outlets are delivered accordingly. Each outlet has an average order of 200 items covering the categories of cake, food, hot meal (ingredients) and warehouse (utensils, cake boxes, etc).

The former businessman, who was involved in timber export, has worked for nine years for Secret Recipe and he loves his job even though it often requires him to sacrifice public holidays.

“It’s better than staying at home and doing nothing,” the grandfather of two said with a smile.

“I will work here as long as I can,” he added.

Still sprightly: Khaw is proud to be in charge of Secret Recipe’s logistics department.

Robert Law, 63, and Karomah Ikram, 41, share the same sentiment. Law, a member of the kitchen team at the Puchong outlet, loves his job that allows him to meet different people every day.

“I learn new things here, such as how to deal with customers and how to prepare the meals,” he said. “I like the working environment. My colleagues like to ask for advice, too.” Karomah, who does packing at the factory in Taman Mayang, is thankful for the job, which gives her adequate time to look after her children.

The requirements to participate in this programme are simple. Senior adults must be Malaysians, in good health, have the right attitude and commitment and are capable of working in a service-based industry on a full-time or part-time basis.

For details, call Secret Recipe’s Human Resource division at 03-7806 1555 ext 112 or log on to www.secretrecipe.com.my to submit applications.

I have register myself to be one of the senior citizen crew members and I hope I am short listed for an interview.I prefer as kitchen helpers beside washing dish perhap I can learn a bit of the secret recipe....hey!!!that's secret..better watch out....hehehe.

Have a wonderful weekend and happy holiday.