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New Straits Times
30-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Senior Citizens Bill must be prioritised, says coalition on ageing
KUALA LUMPUR: The Senior Citizens Bill, which has long been overdue, must be given priority and tabled for debate as soon as possible, said the Malaysian Coalition on Ageing. Coalition chairman Cheah Tuck Wing said while existing laws protect women and children, there is still no specific legislation aimed at safeguarding the rights and welfare of senior citizens. "The population of people aged 65 and above is rapidly rising, expected to reach 15 per cent by 2040. This means our country will become an aged nation, yet many measures, including legislation to protect them, are still not in place," he said when contacted today. He added the coalition fully supported the Malaysian Bar's call for the government to immediately table the bill to protect Malaysia's ageing population. He added government hospitals have reported many cases where families admit their elderly relatives and then disappear. Hospital Kuala Lumpur, for example, recorded 358 abandonment cases in 2023 and 166 cases up until May last year, he said. "Hence, the proposed bill, which includes legal action against adult children who neglect their parents, is essential in restoring a sense of filial responsibility. The bill must be comprehensive, with care-centric supporting programmes to address the real-life challenges faced by caregivers," he said. He added financial hardship and the strain of 24-hour caregiving often lead to family conflicts, which could be a driving factor behind many abandonment cases. As such, he said the government must implement care centric supporting services to alleviate the hardship faced by filial caregivers. "Firstly, special financial support must be given to caregivers from B40 families and retirees in the M40 group who are taking care of them elderly parents with moderate to severe health problems. "Second, public healthcare and trained manpower. Specialists in geriatric medicine, rehabilitation facilities and welfare programmes for elderly must be upgraded. Currently, we only have 67 geriatric specialists in hospitals and private practice and the ratio is one doctor to 40,000 individuals above 65 years old. "Thirdly, there must be close collaboration between the government and non-governmental organisations in the community to provide support for family members with elderly care responsibilities. "Community based services could focus on providing help and support to caregivers either through daycare centers or home visits by nurse and health aides." Cheah said the successful Senior Citizens Activity Centres, established by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry in partnership with other government agencies and the non-governmental organisations, should serve as a model for developing community-based care institutions in selected districts. One such area is Lubok Antu in Sarawak, which has the highest percentage of citizens aged 65 and above in Malaysia. "It is imperative that the government implement strategies to address the problem of elderly abandonment, especially given the limited number of beds available at the 10 federally funded old folks' homes and two homes for the chronically ill in Peninsular Malaysia, as well as the five state-funded old folks' homes in the Borneo states," he added. Earlier today, the Malaysian Bar called on the government to urgently table the bill to safeguard the country's ageing population.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Govt upbeat about making Senior Citizens Bill a reality
PETALING JAYA: The government is making steady progress towards introducing a Senior Citizens Bill aimed at enhancing protection for Malaysia's ageing population, said Women, Family and Community Development Ministry deputy secretary-general (strategic) Mohd Daud Mohd Arif. 'I don't want to overpromise on the Bill, but the outlook is promising,' he said. 'The minister (Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri) is optimistic about it, and substantial discussions and research have already been carried out. 'We just need a bit more time to evaluate the findings before moving forward with concrete solutions,' he said at the Living Your Golden Years: Reaching Out, Touching Lives Conference and Exhibition 2025. The event was held on Saturday at Tun Tan Cheng Lock College, Assunta Hospital in Petaling Jaya. Mohd Daud said the ministry is reviewing the National Policy for Older Persons, first introduced in 2011, with the goal of strengthening strategies related to ageing. 'New strategies under consideration include raising awareness about ageing, promoting the rights of older persons and reminding families of their responsibilities. 'An integrated, institutionalised long-term care system is critical,' he added. He also said the Economy Ministry is leading inter-ministerial coordination – including with the Health, Education, and Women, Family and Community Development ministries – through the National Ageing Agenda. 'The agenda aims to support medium and long-term socioeconomic development for elderly care. It will address key areas such as education, financial planning, labour productivity and technology adoption.' With Malaysians aged 60 and above expected to comprise 15% of the population by 2030, Mohd Daud underscored the urgency of a comprehensive, forward-looking approach. He identified several key priorities – ensuring access to healthcare, protecting seniors from scams, enhancing financial security and fostering social inclusion. 'It is essential that older adults have access to tailored services, including home-based and palliative care. We must also strengthen retirement schemes and promote lifelong financial literacy.' Echoing these concerns, Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye called for the urgent enactment of a Senior Citizens Bill. 'Today's seniors were yesterday's teachers, farmers, factory workers and parents who helped build this nation. They deserve dignity, care and recognition. Are we truly doing enough for them? 'We need a dedicated legislative framework to protect their rights and promote their well-being,' he said. He stressed that such legislation should not only safeguard economic security – through improved retirement schemes and inclusive employment – but also promote community engagement through lifelong learning and social programmes. Lee also proposed the formation of a Senior Citizens Commission to oversee policy implementation and ensure government accountability. Meanwhile, Third Age Media Association founding president Cheah Tuck Wing cautioned that legislation alone is insufficient without a robust care infrastructure. 'Legal provisions by themselves cannot resolve the socio-economic pressures faced by caregiving families,' he said. 'Malaysia's high age dependency ratio means many families are balancing both eldercare and childcare, often leading to carer fatigue. This strain can result in elder neglect or abandonment – not from malice, but from sheer exhaustion.' Cheah urged the government to introduce targeted financial support for caregiving households, increase training of geriatric specialists and strengthen partnerships with NGOs to develop community-based eldercare services. In December, Nancy said the ministry was evaluating the feasibility of enacting legislation to safeguard welfare of the elderly. She emphasised the importance of building consensus before moving forward. 'We must ask whether strengthening family values and promoting a sense of responsibility within the household can help reinforce the family unit – perhaps reducing the reliance on legal enforcement,' she said.
New Straits Times
23-05-2025
- New Straits Times
337 schools joined child protection advocacy programme last year
KUNAK: A total of 337 schools across the country participated in the Child Protection Advocacy Programme: Kasih Kanak-Kanak last year, surpassing the initial 300-school target, said the Welfare Department. Its deputy director-general (Operations) Rosmahwati Ishak said the encouraging response indicates that school communities are keen to have more of such awareness programmes. "Therefore, this year, the department has decided to expand the programme to 300 schools nationwide, with 25 schools in Sabah," she told Bernama at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Selamat here yesterday. Rosmahwati attended the Kasih Kanak-Kanak Child Protection Advocacy Programme, officiated by theWomen, Family and Community Development Ministry deputy-secretary general (Operations) Farah Adura Hamidi, in conjunction with the Kembara Kasih KPWKM 2025 initiative. Rosmahwati, who spoke on behalf of the Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, emphasised that collaboration between residents and the school community, including teachers, students, parents, and the Parent-Teacher Association, is crucial because ensuring children's safety is a shared responsibility. "We are aware that child protection cases have been rising year after year, which is why this collaborative movement must continue to ensure that awareness of child protection remains at the highest level," she said. Meanwhile, Rosmahwati said this year's advocacy programme features greater variety, including promoting elements of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). She also noted that incidents of child abuse and neglect are of deep concern in Malaysia, with Sabah alone recording 1,575 cases in 2024. "This figure is more just a statistic as it represents 1,575 tales of pain, trauma, and injustice experienced by children who deserve to be protected and loved," she said. She urged the public to utilise the Talian Kasih 15999 hotline and the Whatsapp number at 019-2615999 to get prompt assistance for cases of abuse and neglect involving children. "We encourage more people to come forward and use this hotline to report any suspected cases, especially those involving child safety and protection, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse," she said, adding that the public can channel information and tackle the surge in child abuse and neglect incidents. – Bernama
Barnama
20-05-2025
- Health
- Barnama
KPWKM Holds Forum In Sabah To Address Teen Social Issues
KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) -- The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM) held the Advocacy Forum on Reproductive and Social Health Education (PEKERTI) for Parents in Sabah to address the issue of social problems among teenagers. The forum, held in Penampang last Sunday, aimed to provide parents with exposure and knowledge to help strengthen teenagers' self-identity in preserving their dignity and that of the nation. Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said such topics should not be regarded as taboo or sensitive, as concerns that reproductive and social health information might arouse curiosity among teens should not hinder the provision of education. 'Currently, the issue of indiscriminate social interaction among teenagers is one that must be addressed. One of the contributing factors is the lack of religious education and insufficient reproductive and social health information being instilled from home,' she said. Her speech was delivered by the ministry's deputy secretary-general (operations), Farah Adura Hamidi, at the official launch of the PEKERTI Forum. According to Nancy, the issue of out-of-wedlock teenage pregnancies is also of growing concern, with Health Ministry (MOH) statistics recording 17,646 cases between 2019 and 2023 out of a total of 44,263 pregnancies involving teenagers during the same period. 'Data also shows that 1,816 out-of-wedlock teenage pregnancies were recorded in Sabah from 2019 to 2023,' she said. Nancy said in response, KPWKM through the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) had developed several modules to disseminate information to target groups, including the ACE Module – Accurate, Comprehensive and Effective – which considers current sexual issues at global and national levels, including legislation related to sexual violence and trafficking. In addition, she said, a special Reproductive and Social Health Education Module was also developed for boys aged 16 and above to promote greater responsibility among older teens and young men.
New Straits Times
20-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Govt ensures counselling, aid for families of FRU crash victims
IPOH: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry has assured that counselling services will continue to be made available to families of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel who were injured or killed in a recent road accident. Its deputy minister, Datuk Noraini Ahmad, said the Social Welfare Department had begun reaching out to the victims' families, with some having received counselling and others scheduled for follow-up support. "I have been informed that there are two sources of counselling - one through the police and the other through the department itself. "The counselling provided by the Social Welfare Department will be ongoing. It's not just for a couple of days; it will continue for as long as the victims or their families need it. "The duration of the counselling depends on their needs. We are always ready to provide counselling services for as long as necessary," she said. She told reporters this after visiting Noor Hasliza Mohd Hadzri, 32, the widow of Corporal Akmal Muhamad, at her home in Bercham here today. Noraini was also scheduled to visit another family member involved in the crash, which saw nine FRU policemen killed and nine others injured. She was responding to questions about the emotional toll on the children, some of whom are still traumatised, with some yet to cry or speak after the sudden loss of their fathers. "Counselling and support are not just for the mothers, but also for the children, parents and spouses of everyone affected. "They're going through this while still likely experiencing trauma. One child went to school after watching a video of his father and still feels very sad, but is trying to take on his father's role. "These are the kinds of things we are aware of. That's why I mentioned earlier that the Social Welfare Department is prepared to help, and even before the families reached out, the department's staff had already contacted them," she added. Noraini said that aside from counselling, financial aid was also being extended. Six families received RM1,000 each today through the National Welfare Foundation, in addition to immediate assistance previously distributed via emergency funds. She added that the Social Welfare Department would also assess the long-term needs of the families, particularly those who have lost their main breadwinner. "There are some who are no longer working and are now fully responsible for their families. We will investigate each case to determine what other forms of support can be provided," she said. It was reported last Tuesday that an FRU truck carrying 18 personnel from Unit 5 Sungai Senam collided with a gravel-laden lorry at 8.50am at Jalan Chikus-Sungai Lampam, Teluk Intan. Eight officers died at the scene, and a ninth passed away while receiving treatment at Teluk Intan Hospital. Nine others were injured. The FRU vehicle was returning to Ipoh after completing duties for the Chitrapournami festival when it collided with the lorry.
