(Front row, seated from second left) Mohamad Zahri and Anfaal with other participants at MBPJ’s launch of its care economy action plan. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star
A FIVE-year care economy action plan will be implemented in Petaling Jaya focusing on developing an inclusive, sustainable and responsive care ecosystem.
Mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon said the plan by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) was put in place in line with Selangor’s care economy policy from 2024 to 2030.
Under it, MBPJ would introduce improvements in operational guidelines and approvals for care centres, he said.
In addition, there will be training and certification programmes for professional caregivers and incentives for care institutions.
MBPJ, he said, would also encourage investment and innovation in social care services.
“This policy will strengthen the well-being of children, the elderly and the disabled through the provision of quality, safe and accessible care services.
“At the same time, it opens up new job opportunities, stimulates social investment and encourages innovation in the care sector, making it a new growth engine,” he said during his speech at Selangor International Care Summit (SICS) 2025.
With a population of 823,794 as of January 2024, Petaling Jaya has a density of over 6,000 people per sq km.
This, he said, underscored the reality that the city shouldered a significant social and economic burden of care.
“Therefore, efforts to build an organised, responsive and sustainable care ecosystem in Petaling Jaya are not just an option, but an urgent necessity for the well-being of its residents,” he said.
Mohamad Zahri said the action plan was developed through a series of workshops with childcare centre operators, formal and informal carers, non-governmental organisations, government agencies and technical experts.
“It is not just a document but a strategic action plan that serves as a guide for all parties in mobilising a more efficient and high-impact care system.”
Mohamad Zahri said the city had 147 nurseries, 108 childcare, welfare and disabled centres, and 70 homes for the elderly.
This data, he said, clearly illustrated that the care sector in Petaling Jaya was large, active and critical.
He said through the action plan, Petaling Jaya aimed to become an inclusive care city where every individual, regardless of age, gender or ability, received support and opportunities to live a life of dignity.
“We believe that no caregiver should be marginalised, no senior citizen should be left alone without support, no child should miss out on quality care and no disabled person should face obstacles in their daily lives,” said Mohamad Zahri.
Selangor women empowerment and welfare committee chairman Anfaal Saari and Selangor Social Welfare Department director Azmir Kassim officiated the action plan unveiled at the summit.
In her speech, Anfaal stressed that investing in care was an investment in the economic and social future of the country.
“The care agenda must be made part of state and national development planning,” Anfaal said.
