All about the care economy
Abygah Preesha Thiyagu enjoys interacting with people from all walks of life and hopes to continue her parents’ legacy of community and charity work.

She and Yap Zhi Ying are the two candidates shortlisted for a Kaigo (caregiver in Japanese) scholarship to further their studies in Japan and learn about caregiving services.

The programme covers two years of Japanese-based caregiver training and five years of employment.

Abygah Preesha said her father, businessman Thiyagu Renu and mother Prema Arasan, a lawyer and trainer by profession, are her inspiration.

“They founded a non-profit organisation called Pertubuhan Pembangunan Hope Selangor, which helps the B40 community, including refugees in the Klang Valley,” she said.

“A teacher told my class about the scholarship, and I submitted my application after my mother explained what it would entail.”

The 20-year-old has just completed her Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examination.

While she has not picked up the Japanese language yet, Abygah Preesha said she was a fast and keen learner.

If selected for the scholarship, she hopes to learn new ideas to work with underprivileged communities, particularly methods that deal with groups that lag behind in education.

Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung presented certificates to Abygah Preesha and Yap at an event, “Senior Care Practical Tips and New Job Opportunities” organised by his office in collaboration with PJ Lestari, PJ Up, Malaysian Association for Social Care Professionals and Homes (Masoc Care) and Sin Chew Daily, which was held at the latter’s headquarters in Section 13, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

The event was aimed at improving overall senior care awareness among the public, equipping caregivers and family members with basic caregiving knowledge and creating awareness of employment opportunities in the field of senior care.

New Era University College Institute of Ageing and Professional Care director Assoc Prof Dr Edward Foo Loke Min spoke of the challenges faced by Malaysia as an ageing society and potential job opportunities in the industry.

Two certified trainers taught participants the basics of senior care, such as the right way to lift someone from a wheelchair, while a panel of speakers from Masoc Care spoke about how ageing affects families and solutions to address ageing challenges.

Lee (centre) posing with Yap (left) and Abygah Preesha who have been shortlisted for the caregiver scholarship in Japan.

In his speech, Lee said: “Addressing the needs of an ageing population requires a multifaceted approach.

“It is one that combines compassion, innovation and economic empowerment.

“Therefore, investing in training programmes for caregivers is essential to ensure high-quality care and professional development,” he added.

Prioritising the care economy is crucial for achieving gender equality, economic development and social wellbeing.

“By recognising care work as a valuable supporting care industry, the country can empower women and youths to strengthen its social and economic structure,” said Lee.

“Our government is advocating the formalisation and development of Malaysia’s care economy, which recognises care as a work of public benefit and emphasises its importance for society and the economy.

“Today, professional services for senior care are still in short supply, and the number of professionally trained caregivers remains scarce.

“This implies that senior care is a thriving industry.

“And as part of a care economy, it represents a highly skilled and high-income sector.”

Lee expressed hope that youths and women in particular would seize the opportunities senior care presents to create a better future for themselves and the community.
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Abygah Preesha Thiyagu enjoys interacting with people from all walks of life and hopes to continue her parents’ legacy of community and charity work.