08/08/2025

FRIDAY | AUG 8, 2025

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Strengthening long-term healthcare plan for seniors

Majority of HIV cases involve young men

and introducing the concept of a time bank to address the challenges of caring for an ageing population, as Malaysia is expected to become an aged nation by 2043. Ahmed Razman explained that a time bank allows individuals to contribute time and effort while they are young, which can later be credited and redeemed as care services in old age, thereby reducing care costs and easing the government’s fiscal burden. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat on July 31, said the mandatory retirement age will be reviewed in line with Malaysia’s transition towards an aged nation. The review will involve various aspects, including financial implications and the impact on job opportunities, which must be considered before a final decision is made. In May, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said also proposed raising the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65, saying that individuals at that age remain healthy and can continue contributing productively to the workforce. The mandatory retirement age for civil servants is 60, which is also the minimum retirement age for the private sector under the Minimum Retirement Age Act 2012. PETALING JAYA: Malaysia recorded 3,185 new HIV cases in 2024, with a notification rate of 9.4 per 100,000 population. The vast majority involved young men, with sexual transmission now the primary mode of infection. In a parliamentary response to Tan Kok Wai (Cheras), the Health Ministry revealed that men accounted for 90% of the newly reported cases, while women made up the remaining 10%. This represents a shift from the 1990s, when women represented just 1% of cases. The majority of new infections – 75% – were among individuals aged 20 to 39, highlighting a concerning trend of rising cases among Malaysian youth. Although Malaysia saw a 50% drop in new HIV/AIDS infections between 2000 and 2009, the rate of decline has slowed significantly in the past decade, with only a 27% reduction recorded from 2010 to 2024. The pattern of HIV transmission has shifted dramatically. Where infections were once largely due to needle sharing among drug users, they are now overwhelmingly the result of sexual transmission, which accounted for 96% of cases in 2024. Of those, 64% were transmitted through homosexual or bisexual contact, while 32% were attributed to heterosexual transmission. The ministry said it continues to monitor these trends and implement targeted interventions to curb the spread of HIV. – By KIRTINEE RAMESH

such as the retirement age. “Therefore, this agenda cannot be placed solely on the shoulders of the government or a single ministry. It requires a whole-of-government approach to effectively address the issue.” Nancy said while it is undeniable that the demand for care services is high, the affordability of such services is not only a challenge in Malaysia but a global concern as well. “We have conducted studies and benchmarking exercises with other countries, and the ministry will continue to collaborate with other ministries and agencies to find sustainable solutions,” she said. Nancy added that there is no official data collection for either formal or informal carers in Malaysia. However, the ministry has recorded 6,744 individuals who have obtained the Malaysian Skills Certificate in the field of care and community services. In addition, 43,869 individuals have professional qualifications in childcare, indicating a pool of trained personnel with the necessary skills and credentials to provide formal care services. “Meanwhile, the official data available from the ministry that ensure that borrowers, especially young users, can repay loans without experiencing severe financial stress or falling into a debt trap. “Simultaneously, the government continues to stress the importance of financial literacy, encouraging Malaysians to manage their finances responsibly and understand the risks of overusing BNPL to avoid falling into unsustainable debt.” Meanwhile, Lim said the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) remains committed to ensuring stable and competitive returns through a disciplined investment strategy, despite global market uncertainties. “EPF continues to proactively rebalance its portfolio by reallocating capital into resilient markets and sectors with strong long-term growth prospects,” she said. Its investments are guided by a strategic asset allocation framework, which spreads investments across diverse asset classes, regions and mandates while maintaining risk tolerance. Lim said EPF is also increasing investments in local private markets, including private equity real estate and infrastructure to support national development and enhance returns. She said as a key participant in the Finance Ministry GEAR-uP programme, EPF has been tasked with expanding investments in healthcare and elderly care, such as day care centres, home-based services and affordable health tech. “These investments are aimed at being commercially viable while delivering sustainable returns for EPF members,” she added.

provides insight into the number of informal carers is the monthly aid recipient data from the Social Welfare Department. “For eligible individuals, the government provides monthly welfare assistance through the department to ease the burden of those providing care to bedridden or infirm family members via the Assistance for Bedridden Chronic Patients scheme. “As of April, the government has disbursed a total of RM59.6 million to 31,138 recipients of this aid,” she said. In response to Salamiah Mohd Nor (PN–Temerloh) on efforts to address abuse and neglect by family members, Nancy said the ministry adopts a comprehensive approach to address such cases. “In addition to providing counselling services, we also offer protection and work with NGOs to support victims of abuse. “For bedridden individuals, the Home Welfare Services programme provides house visits and assistance,” she said. However, Nancy stressed that the main challenge lies in detecting abuse that happens behind closed doors. “We urge the public to come forward if they suspect such incidents. Reports can be made via our helpline Talian Kasih at 15999,” she added.

o Govt finalising blueprint to enhance well-being of elderly and address challenges of ageing society: Minister

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Framework and Action Plan for Care is now in its final development stage. “The ministry also plans to launch the National Senior Citizens Action Plan 2026–2030, covering areas such as safety and protection, lifelong learning and intergenerational engagement,” she said during Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Nancy said the blueprint takes a holistic and cross-ministerial approach involving various ministries and agencies to comprehensively prepare the nation for demographic shifts. She said it calls for proactive reforms, including a shift in the healthcare system, from a disease treatment model to one that prioritises lifelong well-being, as well as new financing models for care provision. “Additionally, reforms in social protection systems, including insurance, are also to be examined, along with other policy matters that have macroeconomic implications

PETALING JAYA: As Malaysia braces for a rapidly ageing population, the government is finalising the National Ageing Blueprint 2025–2045 to strengthen long-term care planning, enhance the well-being of senior citizens, and boost inter-agency coordination over the next two decades. Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the blueprint, which is in the drafting stage, will serve as a comprehensive guide in addressing the challenges of an ageing society. “One of the ministry’s main focuses is developing an efficient and sustainable long-term care service ecosystem. Following a series of consultations and studies, including a Development Lab involving multiple stakeholders, the Strategic PETALING JAYA: Malaysians are increasingly turning to Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services, with over 102 million transactions valued at RM9.3 billion recorded in the first half of this year – a 31% rise compared with the latter half of 2024. During Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, Finance Deputy Minister Lim Hui Ying said young consumers aged 30 and below accounted for 40% of all BNPL transactions, highlighting the popularity of this payment method among youth. “As of June 30, the outstanding balance under BNPL schemes stood at RM3.8 billion, making up 0.2% of Malaysia’s total household debt. “The amount of overdue or unpaid BNPL balances remains manageable at RM121.8 million, or 3.2% of the total BNPL outstanding balance. “The number of active BNPL account holders also rose to 6.5 million. Of these, 168,967 account holders, at 2.6%, had overdue balances,” she added. Lim said a 2024 survey by the Consumer Credit Oversight Board Task Force, which involved 21,070 active BNPL users, found that most BNPL consumers generally show good financial discipline. It revealed that 88% made all payments on time, 12% paid late but settled in full, and less than 0.5% were unable to make full repayment. “Stronger regulation is on the way, with the upcoming Consumer Credit Act 2025 set to introduce a Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

‘Buy Now Pay Later’ popular among youths

‘Higher retirement age not suitable for all sectors’

KUALA LUMPUR: The proposal to raise the retirement age to 65 should be limited only to specific sectors that require expertise and intellectual skills, said economist Dr Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff. Ahmed Razman, who is from Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Putra Business School, said the move should not be implemented across the board, as there are sectors that require physical strength, which may burden workers as they age. “Sectors such as education, administration or consultancy are more suitable for considering a higher retirement age, as they rely on experience and critical thinking. But for jobs requiring physical labour, it may not be practical,” he told Bernama yesterday. On Wednesday, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the Public Service Department will carry out a comprehensive study on the proposal to raise the mandatory retirement age for civil servants to 65. Ahmed Razman said the retirement age issue requires careful consideration as Employees Provident Fund statistics revealed that the majority of contributors from the private sector do not have sufficient savings for retirement. He said any increase in the retirement age must be implemented as part of a multi-pronged strategy, including strengthening social protection, utilising wakaf (endowment) assets

comprehensive integrated framework to oversee credit providers and non-bank credit service providers, including BNPL schemes. “Under the Act, BNPL providers will be required to follow responsible lending practices, such as conducting affordability assessments before granting credit, ensuring fair contract terms and adhering to ethical debt collection practices.” Lim said the affordability assessment is a critical requirement to Lim said the government advises Malaysians to manage their finances responsibly and understand the risks of overusing BNPL to avoid falling into unsustainable debt. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN and