KUALA LUMPUR: The Senior Citizens Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament next year, with the draft already completed and currently undergoing further consultation with stakeholders and state governments.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said while the ministry aims to submit the draft to the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) by the end of this year, the need for wider engagement may push the timeline to 2026.

"We have already prepared the draft. What we're doing now is going back to industry players and stakeholders for further discussions.

"We're also consulting all the states, especially Sabah and Sarawak, to ensure they are agreeable to what we are planning," she said during a press conference at the Asean-ROK Conference on Care and Support for Older Persons today.

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Also present were Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, secretary-general Datuk Dr Maziah Che Yusoff and the Ambassador of South Korea to Asean Lee Jang-Keun.

The conference is an initiative led by Malaysia's Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development with the support from Korea's Health and Welfare Ministry.

It aims to enhance knowledge, raise awareness, and explore practical solutions for key challenges in elderly care across Asean and Korea.

Nancy said the bill, once enacted, will regulate the aged care sector and ensure the well-being and dignity of Malaysia's growing senior population.

The move comes as the country prepares to become an ageing nation by 2030, when 15.3 per cent of the population is projected to be aged 60 and above.

She added that the ministry has received overwhelming interest from various parties wanting to contribute to the legislative process.

"The industry is booming, and many want to be part of the law-making process through consultation.

"With the hope that by before the end of 2025, we plan to send the draft to AGC. And after that, maybe it can be done (tabled) by this year.

"But I have a feeling that it has to wait for next year to get the bill to be tabled in Parliament. The draft is there."

Nancy said that the ultimate aim is to ensure that older persons are treated with dignity and respect while receiving the necessary care and support to thrive in society.