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STATEMENT BY

MR. SOFIAN AKMAL ABD. KARIM

DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS  

 

AT THE

GENERAL DISCUSSION OF THE

13TH SESSION OF THE OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUP ON AGEING  

 

MONDAY, 3 APRIL 2023, CONFERENCE ROOM 2, UN HEADQUARTERS  

 

Thank you, Madam Chair. 

 

Malaysia aligns itself with the statements delivered by Cuba on behalf of the Group of 77 and China and Chile on behalf of the Group of Friends of Older Persons. 

 

Madam Chair,  

 

2.      Malaysia is projected to be an aged nation by 2030, with older persons making up more than 15 percent of the population. As such, the Government is formulating and implementing necessary measures to ensure older persons are not left behind, including in the two focus areas to be deliberated by this session of the Open-Ended Working Group, namely health and social inclusion.  

 

3.      In addition to the existing National Policy for Older Persons, the Government has introduced the Ageing Nation Agenda last year to better prepare Malaysia in becoming an aged nation. We are currently formulating a blueprint which will serve as a comprehensive roadmap, with emphasis on five (5) clusters, namely economy, education, finance, health, and well-being.   

 

4.      To alleviate the financial burden of families under the poverty line and living with older persons, Malaysia has put in place a cash transfer programme which provides an allowance of approximately USD113 per month to older persons. As of February 2023, a total of 140,778 older persons have benefitted from the programme.   

 

5.      Malaysia provides access to comprehensive, equitable, and affordable coverage of quality health services for its population. Older persons are exempted from registration charges for out-patient and specialist consultation at all government hospitals and clinics. For every admission to certain wards at government hospitals, an affordable maximum amount will be charged.    

 

Madam Chair,  

 

6.      To encourage productive and active ageing, the Government has forged strategic collaboration with non-governmental organisations to establish Activity Centres for Older Persons, based on the community-based elderly care concept. These centres allow older persons to socialise with peers and carry out activities including recreation, health screenings and lifelong learning. As of June 2022, 52,753 older persons are participating actively at 161 activity centres nationwide. 

 

7.      The Government has also conducted a comprehensive study on specific legislation for older persons, to better safeguard their rights. A draft bill has been produced based on the outcome of the study and is currently being scrutinised by a group of experts.  

 

8.      In conclusion, Malaysia will continue to adopt a whole-of-society approach in enhancing our collective efforts to ensure the well-being of older persons.   

 

Thank you.