Latest news with #MohamadEzriAbdulWahab
New Straits Times
30-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Senior Citizens Bill delayed: Engagements still ongoing, says Nancy Shukri
KUALA LUMPUR: The proposed legislation aimed at enhancing protections for senior citizens is unlikely to be tabled during the upcoming parliamentary sitting, says Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. She said engagement sessions were still ongoing to ensure that the proposed Senior Citizens Bill effectively addressed the real and varied needs of Malaysia's ageing population, ensuring no one is left behind. "We take note of the Malaysian Bar's statement and appreciate their commitment to the welfare of senior citizens. "The ministry continues to engage with stakeholders — including non-governmental organisations, academics and relevant agencies — through a dedicated special projects team to determine the most effective approach in supporting our ageing population. "As these engagements are still ongoing, it is unlikely the bill will be tabled in the forthcoming session. "Our priority remains ensuring that any proposals are practical, inclusive and genuinely reflective of the needs of our senior citizens," she told the New Straits Times. Earlier today, the Malaysian Bar called on the government to urgently table the bill to safeguard the country's ageing population. Its president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab said such legislation must be truly effective and tackle the root causes of neglect, abuse, and systemic marginalisation experienced by older Malaysians. Echoing the call was Senior Citizens Advisory Council member Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye. "As Malaysia transitions into an ageing nation — with projections indicating that by 2030, 15 per cent of the population will be aged 60 and above — there is an urgent need to institutionalise the rights, protections and welfare of senior citizens through a dedicated Senior Citizens Bill. "This long-overdue legislation is both timely and necessary to ensure that the elderly are treated with dignity, respect and fairness in all aspects of society. "A key focus of the bill should be to establish a robust legal framework for reporting and addressing cases of elder abuse, neglect and discrimination, thereby ensuring that vulnerable seniors receive the protection they rightly deserve," he said.
New Straits Times
30-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Bar wants Senior Citizens Bill immediately to protect Malaysia's ageing population
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Bar wants the government to immediately table a Senior Citizens Bill to protect Malaysia's ageing population. Its president, Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab, said such a bill must be truly effective and must tackle the root causes of neglect, abuse, and systemic marginalisation faced by our ageing population. "The Malaysian Bar stands ready to contribute its legal expertise and insights to ensure that this legislation is effectively and efficiently enacted, for the benefit of all Malaysians," he said in a statement. Ezri said Malaysia was at a critical juncture in its demographic shift towards an ageing population. He cited Malaysian Statistics Department (DOSM) projections that the percentage of citizens aged 65 and above will rise from 8.1 per cent in 2024 to 14.5 per cent by 2040, saying this would place unprecedented demands on the nation's care system. "This demographic transformation presents Malaysia with an urgent and important opportunity to establish a holistic and comprehensive legal and policy framework that will guarantee the protection, welfare and dignity of our senior citizens for generations to come. "The current retirement financial preparedness of Malaysians presents significant challenges that require the immediate attention of our legislative and policy makers. "According to the Employees Provident Fund, 58 per cent of its 54-year-old members have less than RM100,000 in their savings — below the RM240,000 needed to sustain a modest monthly income of RM1,000 for 20 years, post retirement. "This financial gap, combined with rising caregiving costs, underscores the importance of establishing robust legal protection and support systems to ensure elderly Malaysians can age with dignity, security, and quality of life. "We thus welcome and applaud the government's efforts to look into increasing the retirement age from 60 to 65, allowing senior individuals who are keen and capable to continue their valuable contributions to the workforce. "The Malaysian Bar recognises the significant effort and work undertaken by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry in developing the Senior Citizens Bill, as announced in mid-2024. "We understand that comprehensive legislation requires careful consideration and thorough preparation. "Therefore, we commend (the ministry's) reported progress on the Senior Citizens Bill, aimed at enhancing protection for Malaysia's ageing population, and we hope that our following analysis will be considered in the final draft of the bill." Ezri said the Malaysian Bar wants the government to incorporate a holistic, rights-based framework within the final draft of the Senior Citizens Bill, ensuring proactive and legally enforceable protection through several core provisions. The first, he said, was through codified rights and protections which are enforceable by law. These would guarantee senior citizens to healthcare, shelter, safety, financial protection and dignity, aligning with the United Nations Principles for Older Persons. Ezri said the bill must also include robust legal mechanisms to address emotional, physical and financial elder abuse, adding that proper support for victims and rehabilitative options for families must also be incorporated into the framework. Thirdly, he said, there must be oversight through a statutory council, suggesting that a National Commission for Senior Citizens be set up to oversee the implementation of the bill and ensure compliance with other relevant laws or policies. Ezri said there must also be comprehensive community and care support, adding that senior citizens should also be provided with dedicated legal aid for wills, disputes, and protection from exploitation, alongside fair pensions and financial assistance to secure their welfare. He said the Bar also recommended mandatory regulation of elderly care homes, meaning they would have to be licensed, audited and held accountable for the treatment and welfare of their residents. "Malaysia currently has 393 registered elderly care centres and 26 nursing homes, with estimates indicating over 700 unregistered facilities. "Regulation and licensing are crucial to ensuring the safety and dignity of seniors residing in these institutions," he said. Finally, Ezri said the bill must address the challenges of isolation, depression, and dementia through accessible mental health services and community engagement programmes. "Malaysia has an excellent opportunity to leverage gerontechnology — technology specifically designed for senior citizens — to enhance independent living, improve mental health, and support families with caregiving responsibilities. "We can learn from the successful implementation of elderly care in Singapore and Japan, and harness the opportunity to develop innovative and creative solutions, such as wearable health devices, telehealth services, and smart home systems. "The Malaysian Bar reiterates that the rights and welfare of senior citizens must be safeguarded through legislation informed by international best practices. "Jurisdictions such as Canada and South Korea have demonstrated that a statutory framework for senior citizens' welfare can be transformative, not just in providing protection for the elderly, but also in fostering dignity and inclusion." Canada, said Ezri, provides comprehensive support for its senior population, offering income security programmes, initiatives designed to keep seniors active. Meanwhile, he said South Korea established an all-inclusive Long-Term Care Insurance system designed to ensure the well-being of older people experiencing physical limitations or geriatric conditions, simultaneously alleviating the burden borne by their families.
