Dr Kong (front, left) and Dr Vincent during the MOU exchange between AIM Healthcare Group and NCAS. Looking on is Michelle (back row, fourth from left). — Photos: AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star
Lack of proper regulatory guidelines for elderly care centres is a “ticking time bomb” that can lead to a rise in unlicensed operators and compromise safety.
Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng said administrative hurdles, such as difficulty in securing local authority approvals, forced many care providers to operate in the shadows.
This bureaucratic stalemate often resulted in centres operating without a valid licence, effectively hiding them from the Social Welfare Department, she added.
“The danger of not having proper guidelines is that these centres will operate without licences.
“From a liability point of view, this is dangerous.
“When the state does not know they exist, they are not monitored.
“Do they have the necessary training? Without oversight, accidents and negligence cases will inevitably surface,” she said during the AIM Healthcare Group Christmas celebration at its centre in USJ Sentral, Subang Jaya, Selangor.
The event, which brought together residents, families and representatives from Nursing Care Association (NCAS) and Association for Residential Aged Care Operators of Malaysia (AgeCope), served as a platform to address the urgent needs of Malaysia’s rapidly ageing demographic.
Michelle called for amendments to existing guidelines to make the framework “fit for purpose”, particularly for centres operating in residential areas, where zoning requirements and resident objections often stalled the licensing process.
PAWE Subang Jaya members singing carols and bringing joy to the Christmas celebration at the AIM healthcare centre in USJ.
The event also marked a milestone in local healthcare, as she congratulated AIM Healthcare Group founder and managing director Dr Kong Why Hong for establishing Malaysia’s first integrated healthcare model.
The facility combines traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine, offering a holistic approach to geriatric care.
“This is a successful example of securing the right partnership and investors,” Michelle said.
However, she expressed concern for the B40 category, saying: “For those lucky enough to be in mid- to high-tier centres, the care is excellent.
“But we must ask, what about the underprivileged?”
During the event, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was inked by AIM Healthcare Group and NCAS to collaborate on caregiver training.
Dr Kong emphasised that love and compassion must be supported by professional skill.
“Quality elder care begins with well-trained professionals,” he said, adding that the MOU ensured caregivers were equipped to handle the complex needs of older adults.
NCAS chairman Datuk Dr Vincent Ng and AgeCope president Delren Douglas echoed the sentiment.
Delren revealed that statistical projection showed that the number of Malaysians aged over 60 would triple to 4.5 million (15% of the population) in under five years, from 1.5 million presently.
“Overlapping red tape has resulted in over 1,700 unlicensed centres nationwide,” he said.
He also raised concerns about the Sales and Service Tax (SST) being levied on elderly care centres, a burden that he argued should be waived to ensure affordability for the B40 and M40 groups.
Dr Vincent said the demand for professional, reliable and compassionate nursing care was increasing as Malaysia moved towards ageing nation status.
“NCAS plays a vital role in this ecosystem by promoting high standards in caregiving, advocating for continuous skills development and ensuring that our caregivers are equipped to handle the complex needs of older adults.”
The event, which included carolling by Subang Jaya Senior Citizens’ Activity Centre (PAWE) members, concluded with a birthday celebration for residents at the healthcare centre, which is also a comprehensive senior care and wellness hub in USJ.
