By: Dr. Siti Munirah Mohd Faizal Lim
Recently, Malaysians were confronted with a disturbing and heart-wrenching discovery: the skeletal remains of a 72-year-old retiree were found in his apartment in Kepong, having gone unnoticed for four years (‘Retiree’s skeletal remains found in Kepong apartment’, FMT). This man, believed to have lived alone after a divorce, is a tragic reminder of the hidden crisis facing many older adults in Malaysia. Sadly, cases like this are not isolated. Increasingly, we hear stories of seniors being left neglected, alone, or even subjected to abuse.
The situation is not just a private tragedy but a public alarm. With Malaysia projected to become an aging nation by 2030—where 15% of the population will be aged 60 and above—we are woefully unprepared to ensure the welfare of our older citizens. The frightening question we must ask ourselves is this: if societal structures and support fall short, who will be responsible for providing care and ensuring their well-being?
Although the Malaysian government has introduced various policies and action plans aimed at supporting older adults, some initiatives have yet to fully address their protection needs. The Senior Citizen Bill, developed by the Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development along with a task force consisting of various ministries, professional bodies, academic experts, and civil society organizations with extensive knowledge and experience in issues related to older adults, was finalized in October 2021.
This Bill aims to provide a comprehensive legal framework to safeguard the well-being of older adults in Malaysia. It focuses on enhancing social protection, access to healthcare, and support services, while promoting active aging and community participation. The Bill also seeks to establish clearer responsibilities for both the government and relevant stakeholders in addressing the challenges posed by an aging population in Malaysia. While it may not address all challenges faced by older adults, it represents a significant step towards championing their rights and ensuring that responsible parties are held accountable.
However, policy alone is not enough to tackle the complexities of the issue. Older adults are often portrayed as fragile and in constant need of support—an image that excludes them from society rather than integrating them into it. We need to shift this perception and recognize their potential. Many older adults are still capable of contributing to the economy, particularly with increased life expectancy thanks to modern healthcare.
To effectively address these challenges, advocacy must go beyond policy discussions. The demographic shift toward an aging society isn’t unexpected, yet we’ve done little to prepare. We need to focus on public education, awareness campaigns, and concrete actions that integrate older adults into our communities rather than isolating them.
With only six years remaining before 2030, immediate action is crucial to address the increasing social isolation among older adults. This timeline is significant because 2030 is the target year set for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which include commitments to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. To align with these global goals, our policies and societal attitudes must adapt to the realities of an aging population. We must act now to ensure that our strategies not only meet the SDGs but also genuinely improve the quality of life for our older citizens. Delayed action risks exacerbating the challenges faced by our seniors and failing to meet the comprehensive vision of sustainable development that we have collectively agreed upon.
The International Day of Older Persons, observed annually on October 1st, should be more than a ceremonial acknowledgment; it should be a day when the voices of our older people are heard loud and clear. It’s time to expedite the Senior Citizen Bill and create a cohesive, nationwide strategy that involves not just the government but also NGOs, private sector players, and, most importantly, the community.
As Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani activist and youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate, once said, “When the world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.” We cannot afford to remain silent. Only through a united effort can we ensure that our seniors age with dignity and care.
The well-being of older adults must be treated as a priority—not an afterthought.
The author is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Social Administration and Justice, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya. She may be reached at sitimunirahlim@um.edu.my
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