I refer to your editorial ("Quit stalling on old-age plan", November 1) and join you in urging lawmakers to pass the bill on the Old Age Living Allowance to help the poor elderly in Hong Kong, but I think the means test for the elderly aged over 70 should be lifted.
The elderly in this city enjoy far less respect than their peers in other developed societies.
Old people in Australia are called senior citizens and enjoy a host of privileges in society.
Those living on the old age pension from the government can lead a comfortable life.
In Taiwan, there are priority seats for the elderly and physically challenged on the mass rapid transit system, and the other passengers will not occupy them even during rush hours and even when there are no old folk in the compartment.
The elderly here are considered liabilities rather than assets because most Hongkongers judge people by their economic worth rather than their experience in life.
Our social welfare system is residual, and those elderly people living on the old age allowance can hardly afford to eat three proper meals each day.