Incorporating a gender-sensitive life-cycle approach into Malaysia’s ageing strategy

THIS year, the Malaysian government will begin rolling out the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), which outlines comprehensive strategies designed to prepare the nation as it begins its transition into an aged nation.

As an ageing nation, Malaysia recognises the critical importance of taking immediate and proactive measures to meet the impending challenges of its demographic transition. The recently released RMK13 and the upcoming National Ageing Blueprint (NAB) contain well-articulated strategies for long-term care and social protection. Strengthening the care ecosystem was identified as a critical strategy, alongside improving the quality and professionalism of its talent, expanding community-based care for children, disabled and elderly people and exploring long-term care insurance schemes, as practised in other ageing nations around the world.