The Senior Citizens Bill, initially scheduled to be tabled in Parliament this October, is now expected to be introduced in early 2027, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said.
She said the draft legislation had been completed, but additional time was needed to incorporate feedback gathered during engagement sessions with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and state governments.
“Our timeline was indeed this year. However, we were informed that after the engagement sessions, many new elements need to be incorporated, and we agreed to include them as amendments to our draft,” she told reporters after attending the Social Welfare Department’s 80th anniversary celebration today.
Nancy said the draft would undergo further scrutiny before being finalised and moved to the next stage of the legislative process.
The proposed law is intended to strengthen legal protection for senior citizens, particularly in cases involving neglect, abuse and exploitation.
The legislation also forms part of Malaysia’s preparations for its demographic shift towards becoming an ageing nation by 2028.
