General : Senior Citizens Bill To Strengthen Protection For Elderly - Nancy

Melaka: Senior Citizens Bill aims to enhance protection and quality of life for elderly, asserts Nancy Shukri

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri revealed that the Senior Citizens Bill, set to be presented to the cabinet soon, would primarily focus on addressing the physical and mental well-being of senior citizens. The government already has existing policies and frameworks in place for this demographic, and the new bill serves as a follow-up to further strengthen their protection and quality of life.

Speaking at the 2026 National-Level Senior Citizens Day celebration in Melaka today, Nancy emphasized the government's commitment to supporting, protecting, and caring for senior citizens, ensuring they remain relevant to current needs and future demographic changes. She stressed that senior citizens should be valued and encouraged to serve as role models for younger generations, emphasizing their importance in strengthening family values.

Nancy also addressed concerns about independent motivational speakers, stating that the ministry would work with relevant parties to screen individuals delivering talks, ensuring they possess the necessary qualifications and are of the requisite caliber. While the ministry would not take over the responsibility of conducting screenings, they would remind organizers to maintain high standards.

The police received a report on September 26 alleging sexual harassment of a child by a motivational speaker. The case is currently under investigation by Perlis police under Section 12 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.