Policy Development on Ageing in Malaysia

Malaysia is experiencing rapid demographic and epidemiological transitions in the past few decades. This development is attributed to changes in socio-economic progress and public health improvements. Like many other developing countries, Malaysia will become old before becoming rich and the speed of ageing leaves the country with little time to prepare for an aged nation status. This chapter provides an overview of demographic ageing in Malaysia in terms of age, sex, ethnicity and geography, followed by a discussion of ageing-related policy developments since Independence. Tracing the major policies and programmes since the first National Policy for the Elderly till the current National Policy for Older Persons, it is evident that there has been a growing emphasis on old age and ageing issues in national development plans. As more data on ageing and older persons become available, policymakers in several government ministries and departments are introducing new approaches for an improved administrative response. While there has been strong commitment towards evidence-based policymaking and general political will for improvements, greater effort is needed on inter-ministerial coordination as well as engagement at all levels of government. There is also a need to increase public awareness and understanding on related policy choices and decisions. The chapter concludes with suggestions for policy review considerations and linkages to broader initiatives in the region as well as to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG