PETALING JAYA: Efforts to strengthen social development under the newly launched National Social Policy Action Plan 2026-2030 must prioritise dignity, self-reliance, and inclusion to uplift the vulnerable communities, says advocacy groups.
Tenaganita executive director Glorene Das has welcomed efforts to strengthen the social development plan and improve coordination among various agencies.
“From our work with migrant workers, refugees, trafficking survivors, plantation communities, women and low-income families, we believe social policies must place dignity, accessibility and structural inequalities at the centre of implementation.
“The goal of helping welfare recipients become self-reliant is important,” she said when contacted yesterday.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi earlier launched the National Social Policy Action Plan 2026-2030, a framework involving 32 agencies to strengthen Malaysia’s social development through 17 priority areas, 18 strategies and 102 initiatives, supported by KPIs, digitalisation and AI for more efficient and inclusive delivery.
Glorene, however, said that self-reliance cannot be achieved simply by reducing aid or expecting people to “work harder” while they remain trapped in low wages, insecure work, debt, exploitation, and poor healthcare access as well as systems that continue to exclude them.
“Real empowerment requires decent work, fair wages, strong labour protections, accessible healthcare, childcare, education, mental health support, and protection from violence and exploitation.
“Ultimately, social protection should not only focus on reducing dependency but also on restoring dignity, expanding opportunities, and ensuring that no one is left behind,” she said.
Rashdan Rashid, founder of Change Climate Change LLP, said all stakeholders must set their own goals and priorities clearly in order to address all the issues at hand.
“We need to identify all the issues and get the field experts to rectify solutions.
“Perhaps the government can bring the private sector mentality to improve many areas in the government agencies,” he said.
Zaireen Nasir Khan, services officer from All Women’s Action Society (Awam), also lauded the efforts to improve the action plan, saying that the focus on empowering welfare recipients towards self-reliance is important.
“Many individuals and families do not wish to remain dependent on long-term aid, and policies that support sustainable livelihoods, employment opportunities, education and psychosocial support can help break cycles of poverty and vulnerability,” she said.
However, it is equally important that the government approaches this carefully and recognises that poverty and social vulnerability are often structural issues.
“Factors such as gender inequality, domestic violence, disability, discrimination, insecure employment and rising living costs can prevent individuals from achieving financial stability despite their efforts,” she said.
Self-reliance, Zaireen added, requires long-term investment in affordable housing, decent wages, mental health support, childcare and education.
“Without addressing these structural issues, individuals may continue to face repeated cycles of poverty and vulnerability.
“Currently, many women are left unsupported by the welfare structure. Women who are in professions such as care work, for example, do not have adequate social protection schemes they can turn to,” she said.
