02/05/2026

SATURDAY | MAY 2, 2026

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24-hour social security coverage for 9m workers

MyDigital ID critical to online ecosystem: DPM PUTRAJAYA: MyDigital ID plays a critical role as the foundation of a national digital ecosystem, providing a secure and reliable way to verify identity online and enabling Malaysians to access services with confidence, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. He added that strong momentum is already visible, with millions of Malaysians having begun using MyDigital ID, signalling that the foundation is in place and that the direction taken is both relevant and necessary. “Although MyDigital ID received various reactions during its launch, it has achieved encouraging numbers. “Our approach has been deliberate. We began by strengthening collaboration within the financial sector, working closely with MyDigital ID and the National Cyber Security Agency to enhance identity verification in digital transactions and safeguard financial interactions.” He was speaking after officiating at and witnessing the memorandum of understanding exchange ceremony between MyDigital ID and strategic partners on Thursday. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development minister, said efforts are now expanding into a broader and more interconnected landscape spanning the mobile ecosystem, federal and state government services, the education sector as well as digital platforms serving millions of users daily. “When government agencies, industry players and digital platforms move in alignment, we create a system that is more resilient and capable of responding to evolving risks.” He said the direction forward is a “one key” approach in which a single, trusted identity enables reliable access to multiple services without friction and duplication. “This is the vision we must realise, a Malaysia in which digital identity becomes a national backbone and empowers the public to participate in the digital economy.” – Bernama Bumiputera education needs dedication: Minister KUALA LUMPUR: Bumiputera education’s future needs bold political commitment to ensure public investment yields fair returns, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said. He added that all parties must avoid resting on statistical achievements and instead focus on the quality of human capital to make the education agenda effective. “Don’t betray the duty by getting complacent or settling for numbers on paper. We have a moral duty to future generations, to leave them with a much better education system than the one we inherited.” He was speaking at the opening of the 2026 Bumiputera Education Congress event, bringing together over 5,000 academics, professionals and students for Umno’s 80th anniversary celebrations. Zambry, who is also BN secretary-general, said education goes beyond social mobility as it is a chance for the nation to reflect on its position in a fast-changing world. He also said education gaps must be tackled from early childhood, not left until university, because a nation’s strength lies in the quality of its knowledge and values. “Real education creates not just smart thinkers but individuals who grasp responsibility, values and civilisation. We aim to build bumiputera generations strong in knowledge, skills, creativity, confidence and moral character.” He added that the congress findings would be shaped into a national resolution for government leaders to adopt as a priority in the National Education Council. The congress focused on mainstreaming tahfiz streams, boosting Technical and Vocational Education and Training, early childhood education and creating an education waqf model to sustain the bumiputera agenda. – Bernama

o Move will extend protection to accidents outside working hours, says Human Resources minister

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will roll out a 24-hour social security coverage for 9.6 million workers, expand legal protections to 1.64 million gig workers and raise the age limit for housewives’ protection schemes, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan announced yesterday. The announcement was made in his Labour Day address signalling a major shift in worker welfare and labour market reforms. Speaking at the National Labour Day Celebration event, Ramanan said the Social Security Organisation (Socso) will begin implementing 24-hour protection from June, extending coverage beyond workplace incidents to include accidents occurring outside working hours. “This ensures contributors are protected at all times, not only when they are on the job.” In another key move, the age eligibility for the Housewives’ Social Security Scheme will be increased from 55 to 60 years, benefiting more than 720,000 women nationwide. He described the measure as long overdue recognition of unpaid care work performed by women at home. Ramanan also highlighted the enforcement of the Gig Workers Bill, which came into effect on March 31, bringing 1.64 million gig workers under formal legal protection for the first time. Beyond welfare measures, the government is set to introduce structural reforms under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), including the creation of a “new social contract” between employers, workers and the state. The reforms aim to address imbalances in which profits are concentrated among employers while risks are borne by vulnerable workers. Among the long-term targets announced is a push to raise the minimum monthly wage to RM3,000 by 2030, alongside broader efforts to increase overall employee compensation. Ramanan said Malaysia is also positioning

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi alongside Ramanan (right) during the 2026 National Labour Day celebration at the Unifi Arena in Bukit Jalil yesterday. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

prevention programmes focused on healthy lifestyles and chronic disease management. It also proposed more comprehensive support for caregivers and families of patients through training, respite care services and the strengthening of community-based services. “Dementia is not just a health issue but also has implications for social structures, economic productivity and family wellbeing.” Tan said Malaysia is projected to become an aged nation in the near future, which could lead to an increase in dementia cases if no effective early interventions are implemented. “Through early and integrated action, disease progression could be slowed, patients could live with greater dignity and families could receive the support they need.” The coalition emphasised that a comprehensive approach, involving the government, healthcare sector, communities and society at large, is crucial to ensure better care for those affected. – Bernama He added that the government is closely monitoring the impact of global energy and geopolitical challenges on the labour market, and stands ready to intervene where necessary to protect workers and sustain industries. He emphasised that government leaders are ultimately accountable to the public. “We are not bosses – we are workers for the people.” government’s commitment to ensuring economic gains are felt across all levels of society. Highlighting Malaysia’s economic progress, he said the country entered 2026 on a strong footing, with gross domestic product growth reaching 5.2% in 2025, surpassing earlier projections of 4.8%. He added that gross national income per capita has risen above RM57,000, while Malaysia’s global competitiveness ranking improved to 23rd in the world. He also said unemployment has dropped to 2.9%, the lowest level in 11 years, reflecting a tightening labour market and stronger job creation. Ramanan said female workforce participation has also increased to 56.5%, which he described as a significant achievement, recognising women as not only family pillars but also key contributors to national economic growth.

itself as a leader in advanced technology, with 13MP outlining ambitions to become an artificial intelligence-driven nation. He added that as part of the push, the government will establish a semiconductor academy to develop local talent in chip design and AI manufacturing. “We do not want to merely follow global technological trends, we want to shape them.” He also said the “Klinik Gig Bergerak” initiative would be deployed at delivery hubs and city centres, bringing Socso registration, the Madani Employee Card, free health screenings and mental health counselling directly to gig workers. He said the Madani Employee Card will also be expanded to include registered gig workers, supported by mobile service units offering registration, health screenings and mental health support. Ramanan said the ministry is currently reforming 26 labour laws to ensure they remain relevant to modern employment conditions. While outlining the new initiatives, he acknowledged that many Malaysians continue to struggle despite positive economic indicators, including a 2.9% unemployment rate. “Progress that is not shared fairly is not true progress,” he said, emphasising the

Survey finds 10% of elderly living with dementia KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is facing a public health challenge, as approximately 10% of citizens aged 60 and above are living with dementia, according to the findings of the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2025. The findings, announced on April 20 in Putrajaya, showed an increase from 8.5% in 2018, reflecting an urgent need to strengthen efforts in the prevention and management of conditions which affect memory, thinking and the ability to carry out daily activities. The coalition comprises the Dementia Alliance of Malaysia, Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia, Johor Bahru Alzheimer’s Disease Support Association, Dementia Society Perak and the Penang Dementia Association.

She said although there have been improvements in several healthy ageing indicators, such as a reduction in depression rates and an increase in older adults’ ability to carry out daily activities, the developments are still insufficient to curb the rise in dementia. “The coalition urges the government to accelerate the implementation of the Dementia Action Plan 2023-2030, including allocating specific funding to ensure its effectiveness.” The coalition also put forward several key recommendations, including expanding public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma, strengthening early screening at primary healthcare facilities, and implementing

Universiti Malaya Geriatric Unit head Prof Dr Tan Maw Pin, who represents a coalition of dementia-related organisations, described the increase as an early warning to prioritise brain health in the national health agenda. “The rise in cases is not only influenced by age, but is also linked to the burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and high cholesterol, which are major risk factors for cognitive decline.”