Malaysia could no longer afford to delay the proposed legislation as the population is ageing fast, with only 14.7% of old persons considered to be ageing well.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians may be living longer but not necessarily ageing better, and experts are warning that the country’s window to prepare for an ageing society is closing fast.
Universiti Teknologi Mara gerontologist and senior lecturer Dr Nur Amalina Aziz said more than a decade after the National Policy for Older Persons was introduced in 2011, Malaysia still lacks a dedicated law to protect seniors, making long-delayed reforms such as the Senior Citizens Bill increasingly urgent.
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She said Malaysia could no longer afford to delay the proposed legislation as the population is ageing fast, with only 14.7% of old persons considered to be ageing well.
“This is critical as Malaysia faces numerous challenges, including poor health outcomes, limited economic opportunities, vulnerability to climate change and the absence of specific legislation to protect old persons from neglect and abuse.”
Amalina said the 14.7% figure for those ageing well paints a worrying picture of the health trajectory of senior Malaysians, especially as more people are living beyond their 60s, with many expected to live at least another 10 years.
“Drawing on our previous work with the Asem Ageing Global Centre, a human rights-based approach should form the foundation of the proposed Senior Citizens Bill.
“The approach, based on a framework developed by elder law expert Bridget Lewis and the UN Principles for Older Persons, provides clear standards for protecting the rights and wellbeing of old persons while improving coordination across ageing-related policies.”
She said while implementation is important, it must be accompanied by comprehensive measures to address existing gaps that have resulted in the inadequate protection of human rights of elderly persons.
“Without such measures, the law may not fully meet the basic needs of old persons, including their health, economic and social needs.
“Lessons can be learned from Japan, which became a super-ageing society in 2006, where various initiatives have been introduced to ensure that the basic needs of old persons are met.”
She said the Senior Citizens Bill is now more urgent than ever, with aged persons expected to make up over 14% of the population by 2043.
Amalina said the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026–2030) reflects the government’s commitment to improving the wellbeing of the elderly through healthcare, social protection reforms, retirement planning and expanded community participation via senior citizens activity centres.
She said the plan also strengthens housing support, including improved social protection, affordable and sustainable housing schemes as well as greener living environments.
“When the voices of old persons are not heard and their rights are overlooked, they risk losing the opportunity to live a dignified, secure and meaningful life.”
In May, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry said it was aiming to table the Senior Citizens Bill at the next Parliament sitting, with Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri saying its progress is subject to final procedural approval and further review by the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).
She had said the draft legislation was in place but required inter-ministerial coordination and additional input from the AGC, with tabling expected within the next six months if all processes are completed.
