Senior Citizens Bill languishing too long

MALAYSIA is going grey – quickly. And, worryingly, we don’t have a good track record in caring for our ageing citizens.

From 2018 to June 2022, 2,144 elderly people were abandoned in hospitals nationwide, and the trend has continued with Hospital Kuala Lumpur reporting a steady increase in such cases over three years: 239 in 2020, 358 in 2023, and 166 cases by May 2024.

We don’t see the numbers decreasing, what with Malaysia projected to become an ageing society by 2030, with 15.3% of its population aged 60 and above, according to the Statistics Department.

By 2040, this figure is expected to rise to 17.3%, marking a significant demographic shift.

Financial instability is a major concern for Malaysia’s ageing population. The Employees’ Provident Fund reports that 58% of its 54-year-old members have less than RM100,000 in savings – an amount that is insufficient for retirement currently, and certainly in the near future.

It will become harder and harder to look after older people as the traditional multigenerational family structure is already breaking down today, and eldercare infrastructure is completely inadequate.

Turning to old folks’ or nursing homes is also becoming more difficult as they are becoming more costly – nursing home fees can range from RM1,900 to RM2,000 a month.

Many families, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds, struggle to bear these expenses, often leading to abandonment or inadequate care for the elderly.

In response to these challenges, the Malaysian government has proposed the Senior Citizens Bill, aiming to protect the welfare and rights of older people.

This legislation has been in discussion since 2023 – it needs to be dragged out of discussion back burners and into the spotlight now and decisions made urgently.

Despite repeated mentions by government officials, including former Women, Family and Community Development deputy minister Aiman Athirah Sabu in early 2023 and current Minister Nancy Shukri last December, progress has been slow.

Concerns are mounting over whether the Bill can be enacted in time to have a meaningful impact before 2030.

This legislation is crucial because it seeks to establish legal frameworks to protect senior citizens from abuse, neglect, and abandonment.

While the details have not been announced, we see a Bill like this introducing measures to ensure better financial support and planning for the elderly, addressing the financial instability many face post-retirement.

Along with an ageing population comes increasing healthcare costs, and this Bill could address this, promoting improved healthcare services tailored to senior needs.

The legislation could also foster community-based programmes to keep the elderly engaged, reducing feelings of isolation and depression.

With only five years left till 2030, the window to enact and enforce this legislation is narrowing.

Considering the time required for drafting, parliamentary approval, and implementation – potentially spanning two years or more – it is essential to expedite this process.

Implementing the Senior Citizens Bill is a legislative necessity and a moral imperative.

It is a critical step towards ensuring our “golden agers” are treated with the dignity, respect and care they deserve.