Malaysia must fast-track Senior Citizens Bill, says Lee Lam Thye
Lee pointed out that while Malaysia has established various social policies and action plans targeted at older persons, their implementation is currently fragmented and lacks bite. This is primarily due to a lack of central legal authority and a dedicated oversight body.
KUALA LUMPUR - The government should expedite the drafting of a comprehensive Senior Citizens Bill and the establishment of a Senior Citizens Commission to protect the rights, dignity and well-being of older persons in the country.
Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said that the move is urgently needed as Malaysia is expected to become an aged nation by 2030, when 15 per cent of its population will be aged 60 and above.
He said that although Malaysia already has various policies and action plans concerning older persons, their implementation remains fragmented and less effective due to the absence of legal authority and a dedicated commission.
"The Senior Citizens Bill, together with the Senior Citizens Commission, will serve as the legal and institutional backbone for realising the concept of ageing with dignity in Malaysia,” he said in a statement today.
Lee said the proposed Bill would not only protect the rights and dignity of older persons from abuse, neglect and exploitation, but also guarantee their access to healthcare, financial security and social protection.
In addition, it would establish clear responsibilities for government agencies, civil society and families, while providing legal mechanisms for older persons to seek justice.
On the proposed establishment of the Senior Citizens Commission, Lee said the institution is crucial for monitoring the enforcement of the Bill once it is gazetted as an Act, overseeing standards of care at residential care homes, and serving as the official voice of older persons at the highest levels of policymaking.
He said older persons have made significant contributions to the nation's development, and it is the moral responsibility of all parties to ensure they are not marginalised as they age.
"We must act decisively now to prepare for the demographic changes ahead. Protecting and empowering older persons is not merely a policy choice; it is a moral responsibility and a hallmark of a caring society,” he said. - BERNAMA
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