Pengasuh pemangkin ekonomi keluarga, kata Tengku Zafrul

A gala honoring family caregivers, including informal homemakers, family members, mentors, program partners and stakeholders, took place at the Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Tengku Zafrul Aziz, the Senior Assistant to the Prime Minister, emphasized that caregivers are an essential pillar supporting the family economy, not just child care workers.

He explained that their crucial role allows parents to work with peace of mind, while ensuring children receive proper care, making the caregiving sector an integral part of the nation's economic and social support ecosystem. According to Tengku Zafrul, professional caregivers are closely linked to parents' ability to work. Caring for those who care for our children is akin to safeguarding Malaysia's future, he added.

Meeting other caregivers reinforced the critical dependency families have on trustworthy caregivers, especially enabling parents to continue working while ensuring their children's well-being. Zafrul also stressed the need for continued focus on training, certification, recognition, and legislation related to caregiving to ensure a stronger, more respected profession.

This includes sharing experiences and challenges among caregivers through relevant programs, which will be presented to the Finance Ministry and Prime Minister for consideration in the 2027 plan, covering aspects like support, training, certification, and program expansion. Since its launch in August 2025, Madani Care has reached over 1,000 caregivers across four states - Kuala Lumpur, Perak, Kedah, and Penang, through initiatives such as the Madani Advanced Childcare Training (Karisma), Madani Childcare Seminar (Semai), and Professional Development for Madani Childcare (Bitara).

The program, organized by the Merdeka Center with support from the Sime Darby Foundation and the Finance Ministry under the 2026 Budget, focuses on caregiver skill development, career planning, leadership, personal branding, and mentorship to strengthen the profession's professionalism.