V Thomas
The women, family and community development minister has said the Senior Citizens’ Bill will be tabled in Parliament in early 2027.
The public is still being asked for input and feedback. Here are my suggestions for the bill.
Dedicated hospital wings
Major government hospitals should have a separate wing for older adults. It would focus on treatment, surgery and medication.
At present, older people wait with everyone else until their name or number is called. Many are frail, in wheelchairs or ill. They should not have to wait so long for treatment.
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A separate wing would help the government judge whether it needs bigger budgets and more geriatricians. It would also be easier to manage well, as it would handle fewer patients.
Better EPF returns
Major banks in India offer older adults higher deposit interest rates of up to about 7-8%, depending on the bank and tenure.
Likewise, the Employees Provident Fund in Malaysia could pay older people a higher dividend on their savings. A rate of 10% on up to RM200,000 in savings would help. (The latest rate was about 6.15%, declared for 2025.)
A separate EPF scheme for older people could achieve this. At 10%, RM200,000 would earn about RM20,000 a year, or roughly RM1,666 a month.
At present, members can deposit up to RM100,000 a year in aggregate across EPF’s voluntary contribution schemes. But the EPF voluntary contribution scheme now stops at age 75. That age limit could be extended to 80.
More older people could then cope with the cost of living, medical bills and other expenses. Many of them would then no longer have to seek help from the Department of Social Welfare.
Harnessing experience
The government should use older people’s experience through incentives in residents’ associations and other local groups. Local authorities could help in these programmes.
Town hall sessions would benefit from older people’s knowledge, particularly of local government. Local authorities should register older people’s associations freely and tell older people about programmes in their areas.
Some light duties could be reserved for older people who can work. Older people are a vital asset, and the government should make full use of what they can contribute in their later years.
Many capable older people could serve as local councillors and village development and security committee (JKKK) members because they know local needs well. A quota for older people among councillors could be considered.
Older people should also have their own associations at state and national level. This would let them voice their needs, especially when the yearly budget is drawn up. The government would then understand their needs better and allocate the right funds for their wellbeing.
The number of older people is rising fast. It is time for the government to plan soundly and strategically for this growing issue.
V Thomas follows the Aliran website.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
