Latest news with #Noraini
The Sun
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
‘New law to protect elderly from neglect, abuse, scams'
PETALING JAYA: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry is taking proactive steps to safeguard the well-being of Malaysia's ageing population by introducing a new Elderly Persons Bill, Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said in Parliament yesterday. Responding to a question from Bandar Tun Razak MP Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Noraini said the proposed law will focus on safeguarding the rights and welfare of senior citizens, particularly from neglect, abuse and financial exploitation. 'The ministry is currently reviewing the National Action Plan for Senior Citizens, with a key focus on scam-related fraud. Our aim is to nurture a generation of older Malaysians who are independent, respected and supported by their communities,' she said. Noraini added that targeted awareness programmes are being rolled out – especially in digital literacy – to help seniors falling victims of cybercrime. 'These efforts also aim to strengthen awareness of existing legal protections and ensure they are effectively implemented at the grassroots level. Ultimately, the success of any policy depends on the cooperation of all stakeholders including government agencies, local authorities, NGOs and the wider community,' she stressed, adding that the ministry believes that senior citizens should be protected from neglect and abuse, especially within the family setting. 'In line with this, we are introducing a more comprehensive and structured legal framework through the Elderly Persons Bill.' Earlier, Wan Azizah cited findings from a June 2024 study showing that one in 10 elderly Malaysians had experienced financial abuse, often by their own family members. She questioned the effectiveness of current measures and called for the development of elderly-friendly neighbourhoods, similar to Singapore's Kampung Admiralty. Kampung Admiralty is the republic's first integrated public development that brings together a mix of public facilities and services under one roof – a living concept that combines senior housing with healthcare, social, communal, commercial and retail facilities.
The Star
a day ago
- Health
- The Star
Government to ramp up digital literacy, support services for elderly living alone
KUALA LUMPUR: The Government is strengthening efforts to empower and protect senior citizens through community-based support services and digital literacy initiatives aimed at preventing financial abuse and cybercrime, says Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad ( pic ). The Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister said one of the ministry's current focus areas was to ensure that older persons could live independently and with dignity, particularly in light of rising cases of online scams targeting vulnerable groups. 'To prevent them from falling victim to cybercrime, the ministry is implementing awareness programmes and digital interaction courses for the elderly. 'We want to build a society that respects and supports older persons, while strengthening community-level care and protection,' she said during the Dewan Rakyat session on Tuesday (July 29). Noraini added that in addition to legal reforms, the ministry aimed to equip senior citizens with the skills and awareness needed to thrive in a digital world while safeguarding them from exploitation. She said the ministry, through the Social Welfare Department, is also expanding its Home Help programme, which offers social support to elderly individuals who live alone and are not necessarily victims of abuse or neglect. 'These volunteers visit the elderly regularly and offer companionship, help prepare meals and drinks and assist with household chores,' she said, adding that the core objective was to enable seniors to age in place within their communities. 'If that is no longer possible, then we look to community-based care, and only then to institutional care as a last resort.' Noraini also highlighted the Unit Penyayang Warga Emas initiative as a complementary service to Home Help. This unit provides transportation for elderly individuals to attend medical appointments at hospitals or public health clinics, she added. 'This programme is modelled after a community-based approach from China and is run in collaboration with strategic non-governmental organisations,' she said. In addition, she said the ministry is currently reviewing the National Senior Citizens Action Plan to better reflect Malaysia's demographic transition towards an ageing society. 'One of the key areas we are looking at is financial abuse, including scams. The revised action plan will focus on building resilience, awareness and community support for our ageing population,' she said. As part of long-term efforts, the government is also in the process of drafting the Elderly Persons Bill, which is expected to be tabled in Parliament next year. Noraini said the new legislation will be rights-based and holistic in nature, ensuring that senior citizens are not only cared for in terms of daily welfare but also accorded equal standing under the country's legal framework.
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Treat bullying as a crime, not matter of discipline. Ex-Senator says time for Anti-Bullying Act
Published on: Sunday, July 27, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jul 27, 2025 By: Hayati Dzulkifli Text Size: Sabah Umno Wanita Chief Datuk Noraini Idris Kota Kinabalu: Anti-Bullying Act must be enacted with immediate action to tackle bullying cases in the country, said Sabah Umno Wanita Chief Datuk Noraini Idris. This follows the recent tragedy of a 13-year-old schoolgirl Zara Qairina Mahathir, who is believed to have been a victim of bullying. She was found unconscious in the drain of her Sekolah Menengah Agama Tun Mustapha in Kinarut at 3am Wednesday, a week ago and died in hospital the next day. Police have yet to comment despite more than a week later. Noraini said such Act must be enacted without delay so that the bully victims are protected and those responsible can be prosecuted, accordingly. 'The death of young Zara is a painful tragedy especially if it is true that she was a victim of bullying at her school. She noted although Zara's mum preferred to be silent, postings on social media suggest Zara had complained to her about being bullied at school. 'Cases like Zara's — and many others that have gone viral previously, whether in schools or residential colleges — show that bullying can lead to trauma, emotional distress, serious injury, and even death 'That is why the Anti-Bullying Act must be enacted. Let's not wait until another student loses their life,' she said. The former Senator said without a specific law, many bullying incidents would be treated merely as disciplinary issues and not crimes. 'By having such an Act in place, any party involved — including schools, hostels, or educational institutions — would be legally accountable if they are negligent in handling or protecting victims of bullying, or if they attempt to cover up bullying incidents that happen under their watch. 'This law would send a clear message that bullying is not a minor offence. It is a serious crime that will not be tolerated anywhere. It would also help to dismantle the culture of silent bullying that has long been normalised in many institutions,' she said. In Zara's case, Noraini said since the incident occurred within the school premises, the school must take full responsibility and not attempt to conceal the facts. 'The public, especially the victim's family, deserves to know the truth behind this tragedy. Imagine a situation where schools are no longer seen as safe spaces for parents to send their children, due to the failure of responsible parties to address such issues. 'Hence, schools must take greater responsibility in fulfilling the trust given to them by parents and the government to protect our children. 'This requires accountability from all especially the teachers and dormitory wardens to prevent and monitor such incidents from happening to any student under their care,' she said. Noraini said public do not need more statements of regret. 'What we need is immediate action through the enactment of an Anti-Bullying Act. 'A reporting system must be independent and protected. Perpetrators must be dealt with fairly but firmly. 'The loss of a child is not a wound that heals in a day or two. It is a wound that demands the entire system to carry its weight together. 'Zara is gone, but let her death mark the final line of our negligence. If we still choose to delay this law, then we are opening the door to the next tragedy. And this time, we cannot say we didn't know,' she said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Anti-Bullying Act needed urgently to prevent another tragedy
Noraini KOTA KINABALU (July 25): Umno Sabah Wanita chief Datuk Noraini Idris is urging for the immediate enactment of the Anti-Bullying Act. 'Do not wait for another student's life to be lost. The Anti-Bullying Act must be enacted without delay,' she said in a statement. The former senator said that the death of young Zara Qairina Mahathir is not merely a sad story. 'It is a heartbreaking tragedy, especially if it is proven true that Zara was a victim of bullying at her school. Although the matter is still under investigation by the authorities, according to the account of the victim's mother, the child had complained to her that she was being bullied at school,' she claimed. She alleged that cases like Zara's — and many others that have gone viral previously, whether at schools or residential higher learning institutions — show that bullying can lead to trauma, emotional distress, serious injury, and even death. 'Without specific legislation, many bullying cases are treated merely as 'disciplinary misconduct', rather than a criminal offence. It is time for the Anti-Bullying Act to be expedited, as it touches on student safety, the responsibility of educational institutions, and justice for victims,' she said. She believes that with the existence of an Anti-Bullying Act, any party involved — including schools, hostels, or educational institutions — would be held legally accountable if they were negligent in addressing or protecting victims of bullying, or in attempting to conceal bullying incidents under their supervision. 'This Act would send a clear message that bullying is not a trivial matter, but a serious offence that will not be compromised under any circumstances. It would also help reduce the culture of silent bullying, which has long been normalised in many institutions,' she stressed. In the case of Zara, since the incident occurred within school grounds, the school must assume full responsibility and not attempt to conceal the facts, she said. 'Society, especially the victim's family, deserves to know the truth behind this tragedy.' 'Imagine if schools were no longer seen as safe places for parents to send their children to learn, due to the failure of those involved in addressing such issues. This requires the accountability of all parties — especially teachers and hostel wardens — to prevent and monitor such incidents from happening to any student under their care. Schools must take greater responsibility in fulfilling the trust placed in them by parents and the government to protect students,' she added. She said that what is needed is swift action through the enactment of the Anti-Bullying Act. 'The complaint system must be independent and protected. Perpetrators must be dealt with fairly and firmly. The loss of a child is not a wound that heals in a day or two. It is a wound that calls for the entire system to bear its weight together. Zara is gone, but let her death be the final limit to our negligence. If we still choose to delay this legislation, then we are leaving the door open to the next tragedy. And this time, we cannot say we didn't know,' she said.
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Time for laws that treat bullying and cover-ups as crimes, says Sabah Wanita Umno chief
KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah Umno leader has called for an anti-bullying law following the death of a student from a religious school in Papar near here. It is believed that 13-year-old victim Zara Qairina Mahathir was being bullied in school, but this has yet to be confirmed by the authorities. Sabah Wanita Umno chief Datuk Noraini Idris said the government must consider the matter seriously and enact a law to stop bullying, which must be looked at as a crime. 'Do not wait for more to fall victim before acting," she said in a statement on Friday (July 25), adding that tragedies from bullying could be preventable with laws in place. ALSO READ: Cops piecing together events that led to Form One student's death in Papar She pointed out the number of bullying cases in schools and higher learning institutions, some of which had ended in trauma, injury and death. 'Without specific laws, bullying is seen as just a disciplinary issue, and not a crime,' Noraini said. She said that although the case is still under investigation, Zara's mother said her daughter had mentioned being bullied in school. She said it is time for the government to look at this seriously and enact laws to punish those involved. Noraini called for justice to be done, not only for Zara but for others who have fallen victim to bullies. She said those who try to protect offenders should also be brought to book, whether they are teachers, hostel wardens or school authorities. ALSO READ: Mum of deceased Papar student recalls final moments with her only child An anti-bullying law would send the message that bullying and condoning this heinous act must stop, she added. 'We are just opening the door to more bullying... if we do not stop this once and for all,' she said. A #JusticeForZara campaign on social media is calling for the truth to be unearthed and for those responsible to be punished.
