PETALING JAYA: A growing number of senior citizens are ending up homeless in Kuala Lumpur, with many lacking identification documents or family support, according to the Social Welfare Department (JKM).
As of May 4 this year, 184 senior individuals were placed in social welfare department institutions, comprising 131 men and 53 women, compared to 174 cases for the whole of 2025, said JKM.
Based on its records, 478 homeless senior citizens aged 60 and above were identified among destitute persons taken in by the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territories Social Welfare Department between 2021 and 2025.
The number increased from 25 cases in 2021 to 65 in 2022 and 137 in 2023.
Although the figure dropped to 77 in 2024, it increased sharply again to 174 cases last year.
In total, JKM recorded 2,021 destitute person cases in Kuala Lumpur during the five-year period.
The department, however, stressed the figures do not represent the overall homeless population in the city as its jurisdiction only covers individuals classified as destitute persons under the Destitute Persons Act 1977.
JKM noted that “homelessness” involves various groups, including non-citizens, refugees, individuals with mental health conditions, drug addicts and those facing chronic health problems.
The department was responded to questions from The Star regarding senior citizens who were rounded up during enforcement operations and whose identities could not be ascertained due to lack of identification documents.
In such cases, JKM said it would seek help from the National Registration Department (JPN) to verify their identities.
“If they are found to be non- citizens, the cases will be referred to the Immigration Department for further action,” it said in a statement.
Efforts will also be made to trace family members and obtain identification documents via JPN referrals once these individuals are placed in welfare institutions.
Among the main factors contributing to homelessness were unemployment, low income, poverty, lack of housing, family abandonment, mental illness, health problems, drug addiction and former convicts, it added.
Currently, there are 11 elder care institutions under JKM nationwide: eight Rumah Seri Kenangan, two Rumah Ehsan facilities and Kompleks Penyayang Bakti Sungai Buloh. They have a combined capacity of 1,690 residents, with 1,127 occupants currently recorded.
JKM said that operations are held following public complaints, scheduled enforcement in hotspot areas and integrated operations with agencies.
