Many Malaysians Turning Their Backs On Elderly Parents (MALAYSIA)

By SHAUN HO


May 31, 2010


The golden age has no shine for an increasing number of elderly folk who are turning up at welfare homes on their own because their families cannot afford to care for them.


Most welfare home residents stay until their final days, away from their families, National Council of Senior Citizens Organisations Malaysia president Datuk Lum Kin Tuck said.


News reports since last year indicated that a growing number of elderly people had been abandoned by their children. Suggestions have been made for Malaysia to adopt a law allowing elderly parents to claim maintenance from their financially-able children.


In Singapore, the Maintenance of Parents Act enables parents above 60 years old, who cannot support themselves, to seek legal action compelling their children to provide maintenance for them.


However, Lum did not favour such a move, saying some urban families barely made ends meet on their salaries. Instead, Lum said a welfare pension for senior citizens should be introduced.


“It is the responsibility of the Government to care for the elderly. They have contributed to nation-building and should reap the benefits in their later years,” he said.


He also said a law should be passed to compel private sector companies to employ senior citizens. “Many of us are still active and still want to work,” headded.


MCA Public Complaints Bureau chief Datuk Michael Chong said he did not support such a law as it was not in the Asian culture to sue one’s own children.


However, Chong supported a suggestion there there be punishment on those who abandoned their elderly parents.


Umno Youth Public Complaints Bureau head Datuk Khairun Isa agreed, but wanted to know how such a plan would be enforced.


“I think there must be a strict definition of abandonment. Children who don’t visit their parents in nursing homes although they pay for it may not necessarily be abandoning them,” he said.


Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the ministry would view the bigger picture in providing welfare to citizens.


“Good infrastructure and easy and affordable access to social services is the best form of a social pension we can give, provided there is a strong government and a good economy,” said Shahrizat.


“When the quality of life is good, families are empowered. Only then will people be able to properly care for everyone in their families,” she said



SOURCE:     The Star
__________________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources