SSP76 Retirement Village

My outlook for SSP76 has been long-term from the day I joined the group. I have brought up the idea of a senior citizen's village in Pontian comprising of about 30 units of self-contained houses customized for the aged. The ideal situation is for these units to be taken up by our batch-mates whose existence has a specially meaning to me. I am akin to planning for the future and I think it is time for us to consider aging gracefully and if possible in style too.

Loneliness and helplessness are two main sources of chagrin for those over 70. If we start building sincere and strong bond among us as from now, imagine the trust and intimacy we will have for one another in twenty years' time. If you sometime wonder about the reason behind my enthusiasm about the group's growth, growing old with people I am familiar with and esteem in a communal environment is the answer. In the merrier event of resting in peace before old age comes, I will consider my effort in the project a contribution to those who favour my idea.

Time flies, before we realize it, 60 will be upon us.


Michelle Ong


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I concurred with you on the senior citizen plan. I do have my own retirement plan which I would like to share out with those interested. After travelling to many countries ,the preferred choice still Malaysia especially Pontian. I’m looking for a piece of land app. 5-8 acres at reasonable cost suitable for agriculture: herbs, vegetables and fruits all year round. chalets with common facilities. No concrete plan until the suitable land is available. I'm committed to this project n ensure that this shall be a model plan pioneer status of a non profit retirement village farm.



Any new /better idea are welcome.


Ng Bak Seng


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I have been playing with the same idea for about five years now. I have consulted a district council executive officer with a mere broad outline of thought and he said about the same as you have. Locating a piece of land is the first thing to do and it is better to secure it in this time of economic downturn. Feasibility is the next step and all the rest should fall in place.


SSP76 is a huge pool of human resources and I have entered upon it in good faith. 'Search and you will find' - that has been my motto since 26 August, the day I joined the group. Three months into deep interaction with the crowd so far, I have witnessed much, much more goodwill then I have experienced in other contexts elsewhere in my entire adult life.


With pooling of financial resources and ingenuity, plus lots of goodwill and trust, I believe we can achieve efficient use of our investment through sound management of funds and labour. Alone I cannot dream of successful execution of this plan; with a cohesive group I foresee hope.



I call upon those who are similarly inclined to contribute their ideas.

Michelle Ong


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In twenty years' time we will all become old folks.


My ideal of a center set up by us is to cater to those of us who for one reason or another, are not fortunate enough to have family who are able and willing to accommodate us. Day care is thus a luxury this segment of us cannot afford as we do not have a home with our own family to return to. As old folks ourselves in time, running this center delicated to us members will be similar to running an old folk's home. Meng Kwang's experience in this area at this point is thus valuable for our reference to assist in strategic planning as well as in inplemtation later. This should give us good council on meeting our physical needs including general wellbeing and medical care. The fortunate old folks' emotional needs are normally provided by their family members but in its absence, we have no choice but to turn to our close friends. Building close ties now within our group members is thus a reasonable alternative.

'Self-help' is the main theme of my vision for our center rather than enlisting governmental or societal assistance. With this in mind, the appropriate questions to ask at this early stage is 'What must we do now in order to be able to help ourselves?' Again, Meng Kwang's experience has made us conscious that healthy living now is crucial as a preventive measure. For those of us who are to eventually involved in this programme who also enjoy good health and willing to render their service to the weaker in the group, they will become the pillars who organize, operate and lead this center.

What I am driving at now is to do the necessary early to give us the power to exercise control over our lives before we become powerless to help ourselves.


Michelle Ong


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Going to an old folk's home (OFH) should be the last resort!


But on the contrary, this trend is slowly creeping into our busy lifestyle.....from my observation, I noticed many OFH/retirement homes have been mushrooming in PJ & KL the past few years. Guess it is also true in JB & S'pore.


Have you guys watched "Money not enough 2"? There is a emotional scene depicting the children sending their mother to the OFH! Maybe the children have their 'valid' reasons.


Thomas Lim


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Some suggestions about the retirement village:


1. To be at the sea side or on the hill, to have cleaner air and better energy (Qi).


2. The type of "si her yuan' like the olden days in China is good; four or more units sharing the same compound. Of course with modern facilities, attached bathroom, intercom to the nurse/doc/security..... etc. But with the old set up of people can gather around to chit chat, listen to music or play chess in the compound and under the trees, in the evening or morning.


3. Since this is done early, hopefully its not the type of hospital style of many beds in a room, the old folk is turned into patient over night!


4. Have some production or working space, so that those that know carpentry, tailoring, sewing, calligraphy, painting, baking, cooking ... or just fixing or packing work to earn income, more importantly to keep people busy and useful.


Tong Siew Bee