Dato’ Dr Tengku Aizan Hamid, a pioneer in gerontology in Malaysia, holds a PhD in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Gerontology from Iowa State University. With over 30 years of experience in ageing and social policy, she founded the Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing (MyAgeing®) and served as its founding director until 2020. She has led or contributed to over 80 national and international research projects.

Widely recognized for her contributions, she received the Datuk title in 2018 and Anugerah Wanita Warga Emas in 2022. She serves on various advisory boards and is Chair of the Private Pension Administrator Malaysia.

State of Long-Term Care and Social Protection for Older Persons in Malaysia

Abstract

Malaysia is experiencing a rapid demographic shift toward an ageing population, yet the long-term care (LTC) and social protection systems remain fragmented, under-regulated, and insufficiently resourced. There are structural and systemic weaknesses in Malaysia’s LTC ecosystem, including limited public financing, a lack of integrated service delivery, insufficient workforce development, and inadequate support for informal caregivers. Social protection mechanisms, while expanding, still exclude large segments of the older population, especially those in the informal sector and rural areas.

Despite these challenges, recent initiatives such as the National Social Protection Strategy and discussions on ageing-related legislative reforms signal political will to act. My presentation will offer actionable, low-hanging fruit recommendations including: incentivising community-based care models, strengthening multisectoral coordination, and expanding targeted social pensions. I will also stress the need for collaborative action across government, private sector, civil society, and older persons themselves. Malaysia must urgently address these gaps to ensure equitable, sustainable care and income security for its ageing citizens.