Latest news with #RahimahIbrahim
The Sun
04-08-2025
- Health
- The Sun
13MP marks historic pivot towards ageing nation
PETALING JAYA: The 13th Malaysia Plan is a watershed moment in the nation's response to an ageing population, laying the groundwork for sweeping reforms in long-term care, retirement and social protection systems. The plan reflects an urgent recalibration of policy direction as the country braces to become an aged nation by 2043, according to Universiti Putra Malaysia's Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing. Its director Assoc Prof Dr Rahimah Ibrahim described the 13MP as a 'major step forward' in preparing for the demographic shift. 'The plan is significant in terms of the government's commitment to long-term care (LTC) and social protection reforms in preparation for aged nation status. No change happens overnight, but these are bold steps in the right direction.' For the first time, a national development plan has explicitly prioritised long-term care as a strategic policy issue. 'Under the plan, a dedicated entity will be established to coordinate a comprehensive care ecosystem that includes eldercare, childcare, disability care and faith-based residential institutions.' Rahimah said Malaysia's long-term care sector is still in its infancy and is in urgent need of regulation, sustainable funding and professionalised staffing. 'It is an emerging industry that needs structure. Right now we lack standardisation, adequate manpower and regulatory oversight.' She stressed that long-term care should not be conflated with clinical healthcare. While hospitals and clinics focus on medical treatment, LTC encompasses personal, social and functional support to help individuals maintain dignity and independence in their daily lives. Rahimah also welcomed the inclusion of the National Ageing Blueprint 2025–2045, calling it a 'critical strategic document' that must be finalised, presented and made publicly accessible to guide implementation efforts. On the proposed review of the mandatory retirement age, she voiced support but urged a phased and pragmatic rollout. 'The government should start with expanding re-employment schemes, while gradually phasing in any extension of the retirement age across both public and private sectors. While the retirement age was raised to 60 in 2012, labour force participation among those aged 55–59 did not increase significantly. However, it did reverse the downward trend, which is encouraging.' She also commended the plan's emphasis on older adults' economic participation, particularly through flexible work arrangements and lifelong learning initiatives via Technical and Vocational Education and Training. However, Rahimah acknowledged that enticing younger Malaysians into the aged care sector remains a challenge. 'Will youths be drawn to the care industry? Maybe yes – if there are clear wages, defined career pathways and if they find satisfaction in the work. Like the childcare industry before it, aged care can evolve into a respected profession.' At present, she said Malaysia's aged care landscape remains largely informal and under-regulated. 'Anyone can become an aged care worker. But without proper registration or certification, the workers are easily replaced. The sector also suffers from high turnover and chronic manpower shortages.' Rahimah also expressed support for the proposed hybrid Employees Provident Fund payout model – combining lump sum withdrawals with monthly disbursements – as a step towards a stronger social safety net. While underlying inequalities in the pension system persist, she said the new model was 'a bold step' towards enhancing income security for the ageing population. 'There's a lot to unpack in the 13MP. But what's clear is that the government is no longer treating ageing merely as a demographic trend – it's being seen as a transformative opportunity. We urge all stakeholders to view the shift as a challenge to reimagine Malaysia as a more inclusive, caring and sustainable society for all ages.'
The Sun
23-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Plan needed to raise retirement age
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia could miss out on the untapped economic potential of its ageing population if it fails to act now by investing in skills training and creating age-friendly workplaces for those aged 45 and above. The warning comes from Universiti Putra Malaysia's Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing (MyAgeing) director, Assoc Prof Dr Rahimah Ibrahim, following a recent call by former Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt for countries like Malaysia to consider raising the retirement age to 75 to ease pension pressures. Closer to home, last month Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said suggested the government consider extending Malaysia's retirement age to 65, noting that many Malaysians remain active, capable and energetic well into their 60s. Malaysia last raised the retirement age in 2014 — to 60, from 58 in the public sector and 55 in the private sector. However, Rahimah warned that Malaysia is not yet prepared to support adults working into their 70s. She stressed that any changes to the retirement framework must be gradual and flexible, not abrupt. 'Working longer must be a choice backed by robust systems, not a necessity born out of financial desperation. 'Rather than fixating on a single retirement age, we should link pensionable age to gains in healthy life expectancy, and ensure early-exit options remain available, especially for physically demanding jobs.' She said senior workers need adaptable, meaningful roles and the right support to stay healthy and productive. While Sweden has successfully kept senior adults in the workforce, Rahimah said that achievement came after decades of investment in near-universal pension coverage, retraining programmes, and inclusive labour policies – elements that Malaysia currently lacks. 'In Sweden, over 80% of those aged 55 to 64 are still working. In Malaysia, it's just under 50%. 'More than half of senior Malaysian workers are in informal employment, with no social protection, limited upskilling and little ergonomic support.' She added that health is another limiting factor. 'According to the World Health Organisation, Malaysians aged 60 have an average of 18.5 healthy years remaining, compared with the 21 years in Sweden. 'We can't expect people to work longer if their bodies are already exhausted. Health must be part of the retirement equation.' Rahimah also flagged concerns about financial preparedness. 'Only 36% of active Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributors reach the basic savings threshold of RM240,000 by age 55. 'The updated benchmark, based on the Belanjawanku model, is RM650,000 – roughly RM2,690 a month for 20 years. But most low-income workers fall short. 'A B40 household earning RM3,401 a month may retire with just RM180,000 – enough for only RM750 a month,' she said. Rahimah argued that EPF savings alone are not enough, and called for a three-pillar model: personal savings, a universal pension floor and long-term care insurance. Her colleague, senior research officer Chai Sen Tyng agreed and called for a unified retirement policy that ensures portability of savings across job sectors. 'Our system wasn't built for longer lifespans. 'We need a national health financing model that supports people across the life course, from early screening to rehabilitation and community care. 'Our healthcare remains too hospital-centric, too expensive and often out of reach for older Malaysians.' Chai added that healthy ageing should be viewed as an intergenerational investment, not just a senior citizen issue. 'We continue to work in silos. What we need is integrated thinking and coordinated reform.' Former MyAgeing director and gerontology expert Datuk Dr Tengku Aizan Tengku Abdul Hamid echoed this, urging a fundamental rethink of how Malaysia perceives ageing. 'Let's stop asking what older people cost and start asking what value we can unlock from healthy longevity. 'Malaysia has the capacity to lead in this space. What we lack is political will and imagination.' Rather than raising the retirement age, she said Malaysia should prioritise reemployment opportunities and flexible work arrangements. 'Our institutions haven't kept up with how people live and work today. It's time we stop viewing senior adults as dependents and start seeing them as contributors,' she said.
