PETALING JAYA: Filial piety laws will not help address or resolve abuse, neglect and maltreatment of elders, say experts.
It should also not only be about money but about encouraging the young to take care of the elderly, they say.
Forcing adult children to pay for their parents’ upkeep or forcing the elderly to live with abusive children will only make things worse, says Chai Sen Tyng from Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Research Institute on Ageing.
“The proposal for a Maintenance of Parent Act like that in Singapore is a trap and a distraction. Our priority should be the protection of elderly against abuse, neglect and maltreatment regardless of location or who the perpetrators are.”
The research officer said police and the Welfare Department’s statistics only cover physical abuse, with studies estimating 9% of older persons experience abuse in a given year.
“The Maintenance of Parents Act is the same trap that invites arguments like ‘I didn’t ask to be born’,” he said.
Singapore’s act requires adult children to financially support their elderly and indigent parents. Parents over 60 can seek legal recourse, through a special tribunal, if their children fail to provide support.
Chai said Singapore had amended that law in 2010 to reflect a conciliation-first approach.
Another amendment in 2023 protects children who have been abandoned, abused or neglected by their parents.
“Filial piety is not just between children and their ageing parents but also a generational compact, which is reciprocal. Nobody should abuse, neglect and maltreat the elderly. If there are cases, remedy can be in the form of fines or jail time,” he said.
Majlis Pusat Kebajikan Semenanjung Malaysia (MPKSM) president Datuk Mastika Junaidah Husin said Malaysia’s social fabric has changed drastically compared to the past, and filial responsibility is weakening.
“Everyone has to work hard to earn a living, so the time spent with children is very limited. Because of that, relationships between child and parent are not as close as they used to be.
“If the relationship between parent and child is not strong, the problems in handling the elderly will only get worse,” she said.
As such, Mastika said any Act must be flexible. It does not need to be heavily enforced, but should involve a tribunal system to balance things.
Drawing from her experience managing 68 old folks’ homes under MPKSM, Mastika said many elderly residents were abandoned by their families.
“Their relatives, siblings or children do not want to take care of them. Some young adults do not want to take care of their in-laws. We hear many, many sad stories,” she said.
While some families may face financial struggles, Mastika stressed that caring for parents should not be limited to monetary support.
“Taking care is not only about money. The government has many grants and donations, but the children must be willing to make an effort. It’s about care and willingness, not just finances,” she said.
