Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the welfare of senior citizens during the 2025 National Elderly Day event in Jember, East Java, on Saturday (May 31).
During the event, Minister Yusuf took time to greet elderly couples participating in the isbat marriage legalization ceremony, a service aimed at helping them access various government assistance programs.
“To those of you celebrating your marriage today, you now have official marriage certificates and are registered in the civil system. With this, you may be eligible for assistance if you meet the criteria,” he said in an official statement received here on Sunday.
He stressed that elderly citizens are not a burden. Instead, they are valuable members of society who deserve government social programs based on data.
“We don’t want our elderly to be left behind in the system. They must be recognized, embraced, and cared for by the state. The elderly are not a burden to the nation,” he stated.
He also highlighted the important role of seniors as "teachers of life" who help sustain national development. The government, he said, must ensure they receive the attention they deserve, enabling them to remain active and productive.
“They were once strong for us. Now, we must be strong for them. We want our elderly to grow old with joy, not in sorrow,” he added.
As part of the National Elderly Day activities, Minister Yusuf visited several service centers, including free civil registration booths and an exhibition showcasing the creativity of senior citizens.
Meanwhile, Jember District Head Gus Fawait said that since April 1, 2025, Jember residents have been entitled to free medical treatment.
“Uninhabitable homes are being renovated. The Minister has also pledged assistance for slum areas in Jember so that, within the next five years, there will be no more slums in the region,” he said.
