Citation

Zulkipli, Shazreen Nadia and Rajamanickam, Ramalinggam and Md Said, Muhamad Helmi (2026) Legal Protections for the Older Adults in Malaysia: Advocating Timely Interventions in an Ageing Society. Journal of Population Ageing. ISSN 1874-7884

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Abstract

As the global population continues to age, it becomes imperative for nations to adapt and implement policies that ensure the dignity and well-being of their older citizens. Margaret Mead’s words resonate here: “The way a society treats its older people reflects the values and principles it holds dear.” Correspondingly, this article explores the pressing necessity for comprehensive legal protections in Malaysia, particularly focusing on individuals of advanced age and the potential advantages of establishing legal frameworks. This study aims to safeguard their rights and well-being by conducting a thorough legal context analysis, examining concepts related to legal protections for the ageing population, existing laws in Malaysia and other jurisdictions, and socio-cultural factors influencing the development and implementation of such laws. Accordingly, by identifying gaps in the current legal framework and drawing parallels with successful models from other jurisdictions, the article strongly advocates prompt legislative action, specifically a Malaysian Older Persons Act grounded in human rights principles. It concludes that recognising older persons as explicit rights‑holders through a dedicated statute is essential to enrich the quality of life for Malaysia’s older citizens, emphasizing the adage ‘Better Late Than Never’ as the guiding principle.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Ageing , older population
Subjects:	K Law > K Law (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Law (FOL)
Depositing User:	Ms Rosnani Abd Wahab
Date Deposited:	04 Aug 2026 04:58
Last Modified:	04 Aug 2026 04:58
URII:	http://shdl.mmu.edu.my/id/eprint/16490

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