Golden outlook: Malaysia is projected to become an aged society by 2048, when the proportion of its population aged 65 and above will exceed 14%.
KUALA LUMPUR: As the country heads towards becoming an ageing nation, a government backbencher has proposed the establishment of a dedicated ministry to oversee senior citizens and address challenges they face.
Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru) said that since many young people are getting married later or some are deciding not to get married at all, there should be a proper strategy to deal with the situation.
“In Malaysia, we know that young people are getting married later or are not getting married at all. As a result, our reproductive rate does not reach the replacement rate, and ultimately, our country continues to age.
“It seems that we are still not adequately prepared to deal with the issue of an ageing population.
“We have a Youth and Sports Ministry, but we still do not have a ministry for the senior citizens, specifically to handle ageing-related issues.
“I would like to propose that the government establish a dedicated ministry for senior citizens to address this matter,” he said during the Ministers’ Question Time.
Malaysia is projected to become an aged society by 2048, when the proportion of its population aged 65 and above will exceed 14%.
In response, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said while it is true that, at present, the government does not have a dedicated ministry for senior citizens, various ministries handle different aspects related to ageing.
“For example, the Finance Ministry oversees economic and fiscal matters, while the Implementation Coordination Unit manages social protection.
“The Human Resources Ministry handles employment, skills development and education, whereas the Health Ministry is responsible for healthcare matters. Additionally, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry focuses on long-term care.
“What’s important is that all these ministries must work together under a whole-of-nation approach,” added Amir Hamzah.
From the government’s perspective, four key strategies have been outlined and are set to be implemented under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), he said.
The first strategy relates to long-term care, including how to increase the number of people involved in caregiving.
“This would allow elderly individuals to receive care at home, without needing to move into nursing homes,” he said.
The second strategy focuses on the labour market, skills, and education, said Amir Hamzah.
“The government encourages those who are retired to continue contributing to the economy through part-time or flexible jobs.
“To support this, the government is working on enhancing available opportunities through appropriate legislation,” he said.
The third strategy prioritises fiscal policy and social protection, which includes improving support mechanisms not only in terms of physical care but also by encouraging greater social engagement among older adults, helping them remain active and integrated within the community, he said.
Lastly, the government is also looking into the well-being of senior citizens through retirement savings, said the minister.
“In this regard, the Employees Provident Fund is exploring reforms, including allowing part of the retirement savings to be withdrawn upon reaching retirement age, while the remainder is disbursed monthly.
“This approach is aimed at ensuring the funds last longer and are sufficient to support individuals throughout their retirement years,” he said.
