KUALA LUMPUR – The Senior Citizens Bill is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament next year, said Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff.
She said the bill is now in the formulation stage upon completion of a related study on October 1.
“The government is very sensitive to the needs of senior citizens and a study was conducted on the formulation of a bill for senior citizens,” she said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara here today.
She said this in response to a supplementary question from Senator Fadhlina Sidek who wanted to know whether the government intends to formulate a special law to protect senior citizens.
At a press conference later, Siti Zailah said with the country moving towards becoming an ageing nation in 2030, the ministry hopes to set up a Senior Citizens Activity Centre (PAWE) in every parliamentary constituency nationwide.
“As of August 2021, a total of 49,675 senior citizens have registered with the 143 existing PAWEs nationwide and this year, the government hopes to set up 10 new PAWEs.
“The government also intends to have a PAWE in every parliamentary constituency, and so far, only 131 parliamentary constituencies have a PAWE,” she added.
Meanwhile, on the November 6 Malaysian Family Month celebration with the “Kita Kan Keluarga Malaysia” slogan and the #KeluargaMalaysia hashtag, she said it will be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
“This celebration is held to encourage the community to prioritise family so that good values and love can be nurtured among the young generation,” she said. – Bernama, October 20, 2021
