Hannah Yeoh calls for new senior citizens ministry with dedicated budget and advocates

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 — Malaysia should consider establishing a dedicated Ministry of Senior Citizens to ensure the needs and welfare of its ageing population receive focused attention in policymaking, budget allocation and national development.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said senior citizens, particularly those in their 60s to their 80s, remained an underserved group despite having contributed to the country throughout their working lives, with no dedicated government agency overseeing their specific needs.

She said policymakers must move beyond the traditional perception that older people were no longer productive or interested in working, and recognise their potential to remain active contributors to society.

“Until and unless you have a designated ministry (for senior citizen), advocates, policymakers, budgets set aside for them, you have people putting on the lens of a senior citizen going into looking into amendments to law, all that will require the energy and resources of a particular ministry,” she said.

She said this as a panellist at the High-Level Forum on the Silver Economy 2026: Healthy Longevity for Economic Growth, during a session titled ‘Built for Every Age: Cities, Work, and the Environments That Extend Health and Enterprise’, here today.

Hannah said the country had invested substantial resources in supporting citizens during the first 30 years of their lives through various ministries and agencies, including those responsible for children, education, higher education and youth, but similar attention was lacking for the later stages of life.

She said the absence of dedicated institutional support could result in the needs of senior citizens being overlooked, including their opportunities to remain employed, socially connected and engaged in community activities.

She also stressed the importance of addressing the social and emotional needs of older people, particularly those who were single or widowed, saying companionship and opportunities to build friendships should not be dismissed.

“Many times we assume older people can do away with fellowship and partner… the moment they become a widow, we just assume they’ll be okay to be alone. So nobody addresses these needs, and if social needs are not taken care of, your health and mental well-being will be affected,” she added.

Hannah said safe spaces for senior citizens to socialise and opportunities to build companionship should also form part of the broader discussion on ageing, rather than limiting programmes to health screenings and financial planning.

In a separate session, the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department is drafting a Mental Capacity Act to strengthen legal protection for older persons particularly against abuse and neglect, as Malaysia transitions towards an ageing society.

Its assistant director, Nur Shahkierin Abd Manan, said the proposed legislation would address matters relating to mental capacity, including decision-making on healthcare, welfare and property, while complementing the proposed Senior Citizen Bill.

“The Mental Capacity Act focuses on the welfare and it is to avoid abuse and neglect on older persons. So what Legal Affairs Division is currently doing is supporting that bill and also focusing on the Mental Capacity Act as a whole to supplement the coming bill of the senior citizen,” she said during a session titled ‘Law in Ageing Societies’.

Nur Shahkierin said a town hall session involving state muftis and the Syariah Judiciary Department (JKSM) would be held this month to gather Syariah perspectives and ensure the proposed framework took into account state jurisdiction over Syariah matters. — Bernama