THE government is placing serious emphasis on addressing the challenges of an ageing population through a comprehensive strategy under the upcoming 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), with a particular focus on long-term care, social protection, and flexible employment for older citizens.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the government will adopt a whole-of-government approach to support the ageing demographic and ensure that both state mechanisms and civil society are aligned in delivering the necessary assistance.
Amir, who also serves as Minister of Economy added: “This is an issue the government is actively addressing. Under RMK13, we will implement ways to support those entering the ageing phase, with assistance not only from the government but also the wider community,” he told the Dewan Rakyat during Minister’s Question Time on Tuesday.
Amir explained that legislative measures are being considered to allow older individuals to return to the workforce on a part-time basis. This flexibility, he said, would raise questions around social protection, but the broader goal is to incentivise healthy ageing and continued societal engagement.
“The government’s approach through the whole-of-government strategy involves enabling legislation that gives older members of society the opportunity to take up part-time work. When they do, naturally the issue of social protection arises — but this is precisely the kind of incentive that can lead to healthier lives within society,” he said.
He also noted that RMK13 will place emphasis on long-term care, tailored to cultural contexts. “We recognise that Asian societies are typically less inclined to place their parents in institutional care.
“So the support systems we are creating take that into account,” he added.
In addition to government-led efforts, Amir Hamzah stressed the importance of active civil society involvement to bolster support for older Malaysians.
He confirmed that the government is currently developing the National Ageing Blueprint (NAB) 2025–2045, a long-term strategic plan designed to prepare the country for the demographic shift toward becoming an aged nation.
“NAB includes policy planning, a comprehensive framework, and action plans across key sectors such as the economy, employment, education, social protection, healthcare and long-term care,” he said.
The NAB’s core elements will be implemented through a range of initiatives in RMK13, reinforcing Malaysia’s preparation for a future where the elderly form a significant portion of the population.
Malaysia officially became an ageing nation in 2021, when the proportion of citizens aged 65 and above surpassed seven per cent of the total population. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), the country is projected to become an aged nation — defined by 14 per cent of the population being 65 and older — by 2048. - August 26, 2025
