KUCHING: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry is looking into ways to legally require children to care for their elderly parents without burdening them.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, said options such as strengthening support systems and assistance for caregivers are being considered along with the proposal for a new “filial responsibility law”.
“We need to think this through carefully. Some countries have introduced similar legislation, but it has not been successful.
“We have to be realistic,” she told reporters after launching the state-level Mother’s Day celebration here yesterday.
Nancy said it is important to ensure that children are not financially burdened in caring for their aged parents.
“The main issue is that many children cannot afford to care for their parents.
“My personal view is that we want to give children the opportunity to care for their parents, so I’ve instructed my officers to look into other ways to do this.”
Nancy said existing initiatives include a support programme called Spektrum under the Welfare Department, which provides training to caregivers of the elderly.
She said the department also offers home help services to care for senior citizens.
