PETALING JAYA: Malaysia needs to rethink policies, workplace structures and healthcare systems as the country moves towards becoming an aged society, experts say.
With people living longer and birth rates declining, the demographic shift will reshape the labour market and place new demands on healthcare and social support systems.
Universiti Malaya Medical Centre’s Prof Dr Tan Maw Pin (pic) said there are still significant gaps in its preparedness for an ageing population.
“We had a head start in 1996 when the National Policy for Older Persons was introduced, but it was not backed by sufficient funding or structural reforms.
“As a result, Malaysia is still far from ready for the realities of an ageing society,” she told The Star.
She said one key challenge lies in the disconnect between healthcare and social care services, where long-term care duties are split between the Health Ministry and the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
She also said that not much investment has been poured into preventive elderly healthcare.
“Thirty years after the National Policy for Older Persons, many senior citizens are still using emergency departments as their first point of care,” she said.
Dr Tan also voiced concern over the shortage of geriatric specialists in Malaysia compared with Singapore and Britain, where geriatrics has become an increasingly recognised and sought-after medical speciality.
Malaysian Employers Federation president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said companies tend to value older employees for their experience and contributions.
He said companies here have begun adopting workplace policies to accommodate an ageing workforce.
“As Malaysians live and work longer, companies need to adjust their mindset and organisational structures to better support ageing employees,” he said, adding that policymakers must review labour laws and employment policies to ensure they remain relevant.
Measures such as improved insurance coverage, retirement savings incentives and tax benefits could help support older workers while encouraging longer workforce participation, he added.
Global Coalition on Ageing chief executive officer Dr Michael W. Hodin cited a real-life example of older workers continuing to add value to the workforce.
“At a car dealership in the United States, a team of senior sales staff who were on the verge of being laid off consistently outperformed younger colleagues.
“Their deep product knowledge, strong customer relationships and credibility earned over decades meant they closed more deals and achieved higher customer satisfaction scores,” he said.
Hodin noted that older workers are not merely “filling gaps” but can actively drive business outcomes, challenging the common perception that ageing leads to declining productivity.
In Malaysia, he said companies should rethink hiring and retention policies, viewing experience and reliability as assets rather than liabilities.
