Dr Zaliha (left) addressing concerns by the elderly community and stakeholders during a moderated forum at Institut Latihan DBKL in Kuala Lumpur. — Courtesy photo
Dr Zaliha: Community input, holistic approach key to elderly care strategy
KUALA Lumpur is set to develop a comprehensive action plan to address the multifaceted needs of its growing elderly population.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa emphasised the importance of a holistic approach to aged care, during a meeting with the community as well as associations and organisations involved in senior citizen care.
Recognising the significant impact of health, economic and social challenges faced by the elderly, she said the action plan would be developed in close collaboration with other central agencies, particularly the Economy Ministry, to ensure alignment with national priorities.
“This action plan will be a collaborative effort, involving input from community representatives, organisations and experts.
“We understand senior citizens have their own unique needs.
“We will be conducting engagement sessions in the near future to ensure a truly inclusive and comprehensive plan that addresses all critical aspects of elderly care,” she told reporters after addressing concerns by the elderly community and stakeholders during a moderated forum at Institut Latihan DBKL in Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.
Dr Zaliha assured that all feedback and suggestions received from the community would be carefully considered and incorporated into the final action plan.
She added that this commitment to community involvement underscores the government’s dedication to ensuring that the needs and well-being of senior citizens were prioritised in all policy decisions.
“Although the elderly population in the Federal Territories stands at about 12%, we cannot afford to be lackadaisical, considering Malaysia is expected to be an ageing country by 2030,” said Dr Zaliha.
“All input given during the forum will go towards helping the government to formulate policies that are more appropriate, effective and able to provide a positive impact on the elderly.”
Separately, she was also asked how her ministry would address the high number of homeless people in Kuala Lumpur ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026.
“We need an integrated approach for homelessness in the city,” said Dr Zaliha.
“Based on the data we received through Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) ‘Ops Menyelamat’, the homeless population comprises foreign nationals, refugees registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as well as people with mental illness and addiction problems.
“When DBKL conducts their operations on the homeless, they do it jointly with other agencies such as the Social Welfare Department under the Destitute Persons Act 1977, as City Hall does not have a specific act for such operations.”
While it is impossible to achieve zero homelessness in the city, Dr Zaliha said the authorities would do their best to maintain Kuala Lumpur’s image ahead of next year’s tourism campaign.
According to a survey by Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry, there were an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 homeless individuals in Kuala Lumpur in 2023.
