02/06/2026

TUESDAY | JUNE 2, 2026

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‘Parents Care Bill must include social support’

MCMC enforces social media age verification PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) yesterday announced the enforcement of the Child Protection Code (CPC) and the Risk Mitigation Code (RMC) under the Online Safety Act 2025, marking a major step towards strengthening online safety for children in Malaysia. It said the CPC requires licensed social media service providers to implement “child safety by design” measures and enhance age-appropriate protections for child users within the country’s digital environment. “Pursuant to their statutory obligations under the Act, licensed social media service providers are required to implement safeguards, including age verification for users, with the minimum age set at 16. “Age verification must be conducted against government-issued records or equivalent records issued by a competent authority in another jurisdiction recognised by the government.” The commission said starting yesterday, licensed social media service providers shall ensure only users aged 16 and above are permitted to register accounts and access any feature of the service that is appropriate for their age. For existing users, age verification will be implemented progressively over a period of up to six months by the respective social media service providers. MCMC said existing users identified as being under the age of 16 will be given one month to download or transfer their data, including photographs and videos, before any restrictions, suspension or other actions are taken by the respective platforms. The age verification requirement applies to licensed social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. “MCMC expects all licensed social media service providers to fully comply with their statutory obligations under the CPC and the Act, including the timely implementation of effective age verification measures on their platforms. “Failure to comply with these requirements will be viewed seriously and may result in regulatory and enforcement action in accordance with the law.” It said the RMC complements these measures by requiring service providers to implement proactive safeguards, including risk assessments, content moderation, user safety controls and enhanced platform accountability. MCMC said it will continue to work closely with stakeholders, industry players and the wider community to foster a safer and more responsible online environment. More information on the CPC and RMC is available on the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page at https://mcmc.gov.my/en/onsa/resources/fre quently-asked-questions. Further details are also available at https://www.mcmc.gov.my/en/onsa/ under-16. – Bernama

o Law necessary to address growing cases of elderly abandonment and neglect: Legal practitioner

Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s proposed Parents Care Bill should be accompanied by social support systems for the elderly instead of relying solely on legal obligations placed on adult children, experts say. Speaking to theSun , lawyer Esther Ong, who specialises in family matters, said the law is necessary to address growing cases of elderly abandonment and neglect. She said statistics show that between 2018 and June 2022, more than 2,144 senior citizens were abandoned at hospitals nationwide, with fewer than half reunited with their families. “When voluntary goodwill fails at that scale, the law must step in.” Ong, who is senior partner at Esther Ong Tengku Saiful and Sree, said countries such as Singapore, China, India, France and Germany, as well as several states in the United States, already have similar legal frameworks. She rejected concerns that the proposed law would damage already-strained family relationships. “The law does not create strain in families. Instead, it responds to it,” she said, adding that families that are genuinely close and caring will never see the inside of a Maintenance Tribunal. She cited cases illustrating the need for such legislation, including a stroke victim who had to arrange his own transport home from hospital, an elderly parent whose children did not visit once during hospitalisation and a senior citizen who learned of his own son’s graduation from a stranger, as he was never invited. Pleading for the Bill’s smooth passage, Ong cited a current case she is handling in which a father is penniless and suffering, with his children refusing to support him. “At the moment, I have no statute to sue the children. I need this Bill to be passed as soon as possible. These are real cases that I am handling. They are more common than we admit. The law is for them.” She said Malaysia should adopt safeguards similar to Singapore’s Maintenance of Parents Act amendments in July 2023, which require parents with documented histories of abuse, abandonment or neglect to first seek tribunal permission before proceeding with claims. At the same time, she cautioned against unverified allegations raised years later without supporting evidence. She recommended that the Bill mandate a mediation stage before tribunal proceedings, with vexatious or frivolous claims dismissed at

Ong said Malaysia should adopt safeguards similar to Singapore’s Maintenance of Parents Act amendments in July 2023, which require parents with documented histories of abuse, abandonment or neglect to first seek tribunal permission before proceeding with claims. – ASYRAF RASID/THESUN

“This is why any policy should not only focus on enforcement, but also awareness, education and accessible support for parents and adult children. The approach should be compassionate and practical rather than punitive.” Azrina said a broader ageing plan should include retirement planning for care homes, stronger caregiving systems and better support for caregivers. She suggested using EPF or government pension funds for care home choices with different cost tiers. “It cannot just put everything squarely on the shoulders of the adult children. Lives have changed and are more demanding, especially mentally.” She also said of 10 similar cases she handled, “two involved emotional abandonment, another two involved constant verbal abuse and one was close to physical abuse”. “Children can abuse parents too. Abandonment is not just physical. It is also emotional and that is just as bad.” On May 7, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry had been given six months to draft the Bill as Malaysia moves towards becoming an ageing society.

the threshold. “Litigation should always be the last resort,” she said, adding that Singapore’s experience shows that the law’s deterrent effect is often more powerful than its enforcement. “The knowledge that abandonment carries legal consequences changes behaviour.” Meanwhile, certified therapist Azrina Mohd Yusof said the issue should be addressed more holistically instead of placing responsibility entirely on adult children. “Parent-child care is only one part of it. There should be a plan to look at it holistically.” She said the proposed law may become increasingly relevant as Malaysia undergoes generational and social changes, with younger generations facing different lifestyles, pressures and expectations compared to the past. “Family structures and daily realities have changed significantly. Many younger adults today are navigating demanding careers, financial pressures and mental health challenges, which could sometimes affect their ability to care for ageing parents effectively.” She noted that conditions such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorders and anxiety-related issues are becoming more openly recognised today, making caregiving conversations more complex and requiring greater empathy and support systems.

BN chairman calls for mature politics to face current challenges KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called for mature politics, responsible leadership and practical solutions to address current challenges in an increasingly complex global environment. with a spirit of renewal, grounded in experience and an openness to adapt to future demands. “The journey ahead will not always be easy. We will face various terrains, with the biggest challenge being the coming general election.” He urged all BN leaders, machinery and supporters to remain united, loyal to the struggle and attentive to the needs and sentiments of the people in order to secure a In conjunction with BN’s 52nd anniversary, Ahmad Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, said the coalition must continue to move forward

as well as facing challenges that required resilience and self-reflection. “However, one thing that has remained unchanged is our commitment to serve the people and uphold the country’s stability.” He expressed appreciation to all party members and machinery who continue to support BN’s struggle with dedication and loyalty. – Bernama

stronger mandate for the coalition. The Umno president said BN was formed 52 years ago out of a spirit of understanding, moderation and cooperation among Malaysia’s diverse communities to build the nation collectively. He added that over the past five decades, BN has gone through various phases of struggle, including an era of leading the nation’s growth