SERDANG: There is a need for a legislation to protect the rights of the elderly due to the increasing number of neglect and abuse cases, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
She said a Bill for senior citizens was expected to be tabled in Parliament in 2021.
“A study on the content, approach and scope of the special act for senior citizens in Malaysia will be carried out,” she said.
The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said this after opening the Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing (MyAgeing) complex here today.
Dr Wan Azizah said Universiti Malaya (UM) had been appointed as consultant to carry out a study on the senior citizens bill in 15 months’ time.
Meanwhile, she said a diagnostic study on a sustainable and integrated model for long-term care of the senior citizens in Malaysia was underway.
She said the Ministry had appointed Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) as the consultant to conduct the study which was expected to complete in November next year.
“Among the findings are the proposal for a long-term care model as well as a plan of action including human capital needs, sustainable financing model and location proposition to implement the pilot project for the long-term care model,” she said. -- Bernama