Johari Abdul: Parliament must tackle Malaysia’s ageing, smaller families through effective legislation

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 — Malaysia's parliament must address demographic challenges by enacting legislation, budgets and policies, according to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul. The speaker emphasized that population and development matters are ultimately political concerns, as public priorities must be expressed through legislation, institutions and government spending.

Johari spoke at a welcome dinner for participants of the AFPPD Annual Conference 2026, attended by Works Minister and AFPPD Malaysia President Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi and his deputy Howard Lee Chuan How. Johari expressed satisfaction that ageing, often a subject of criticism or speculation, had become a key focus at the conference.

He noted that AFPPD discussions transcended population statistics, encompassing societal preparation for adulthood, family support, care, and women's full participation. Johari highlighted the significance of AFPPD's work due to the long-term nature of demographic changes compared to the short political cycles. He recalled Malaysia's path to hosting the AFPPD Global Secretariat, initiated after AFPPD Malaysia's return from Tokyo in April 2024.

Johari credited Lee's persistence in pursuing the secretariat through Parliament, government, and AFPPD, resulting in the Global Secretariat's establishment in Malaysia. He encouraged the AFPPD Global Secretariat office inauguration to signify a new era of parliamentary cooperation on population and development, emphasizing the importance of translating parliamentary efforts into concrete actions.

The two-day conference, themed "Parliamentary Leadership for the Future: An All of Society Approach to the Care Economy and Demographic Resilience," gathered parliamentarians from Asia, the Pacific, Africa, and the Arab world.