The Malaysian Journal of Social Administration

Charting The Course: Assessing Malaysia's Preparedness for Implementing Dedicated Legal Safeguards for Older Person Care

Nur Faizira Abdul Rahman — 2025-12-03

Based on the United Nations definition, Malaysia has become an ageing society and is estimated to be an aged society in 2030, with 15 per cent (expected 5.8 million) of its population consisting of older persons. It is essential to realise that Malaysia’s population is fast ageing, resulting in greater demand for care for older persons. The demand evidently increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, can current care deliveries and services meet the demand in all care settings? What is the risk and impact of insufficient care deliveries to care components? What is the current legal protection status for older persons and care in Malaysia? In response to the questions, the authors put the premise that understanding the older person's care current practice and safeguarding care with dedicated legal protection is a primary key and first step to be taken in order to manage needs and overcome challenges of older person care and to ensure a quality care delivery. This article aims to examine selected existing legal frameworks related to older person care and to assess Malaysia’s preparedness to implement a dedicated legal safeguard for older person care in this country. The authors further recommend a dedicated and specific statute that is not only there per se but, most notably, drafted in an enforceable clause based on best approaches for the best interest of older persons and all its care components.

Mendepani Cabaran Negara Menua Dan Warga Emas Aktif : Satu Alternatif

Siti Nor Awang — 2025-12-03

Malaysia kini berhadapan dengan peningkatan populasinya yang mencapai usia emas pada kadar yang semakin tinggi, dan dijangka akan mencapai status negara menua pada 2030. Ini menunjukan kurang dari satu dekad Malaysia akan mencapai status negara menua, dan apakah persediaan yang dilakukan. Kajian dijalankan disalah sebuah penempatan warga emas yang dikenali sebagai pondok moden Baitul Maab yang memberi peluang kepada warga emas menjalani kehidupan yang dipenuhi dengan aktiviti keagamaan. Kajian ini bertujuan mencari penyelesaian yang praktikal dan mempromosikan kehidupan lestari dalam kalangan warga emas di Malaysia menuju negara menua. Pendekatan kajian yang digunakan adalah perbincangan kumpulan fokus (FGD), pemetaan kolaboratif dan tinjauan bagi mendapatkan pandangan dan pengalaman penghuni di Baitul Maab terhadap manafaat aktiviti berkebun terhadap kesihatan fizikal, dan sosial mereka. Dapatan kajian menunjukan bahawa aktivti berkebun secara berkumpulan bukan sahaja membantu meningkatkan kesejahteraan fizikal melalui pergerakan yang aktif, malah memperkukuhkan interaksi sosial dengan penghuni yang lain. Selain itu penyediaan kemudahan fizikal yang selari dengan keperluan golongan warga emas ini dapat membantu membina komuniti yang inklusif dan produktif. Penyediakan penempatan yang dilengkapi dengan kemudahan fizikal dan spiritual ini boleh menjadi alternatif kepada Malaysia dalam mendepani cabaran negara menua.

The Impact of China's Ageing Population on Consumption Structure

Saidatulakmal Mohd — 2025-12-03

The rapid development of population ageing makes China a unique subject for study relative to other developed countries with high levels of ageing. Meanwhile, income inequality widens as China's economy grows, making it a major social issue that needs to be addressed. This study evaluates the impact of ageing on income inequality in China's 31 provinces by ANOVA analysis. Panel data is collected from NBS from 2010 to 2020. The estimation results indicate that population ageing tends to widen income inequality during 2010-2020 in China and this impact has a significant time lag.

An Exploration of Adaptive Social Safety Nets Parameters in Malaysia: A Concept Paper

Nur Ain Nabilah Ahmad Basri — 2025-12-03

This concept paper explores the critical parameters of adaptive social safety-net in the context of low-income households in Malaysia. The concept of adaptive social safety-net is derived and introduced by the World Bank in which it seeks to enhance the household resilience. Recent events such as the pandemic Covid-19 crises and increasing covariate shock happened shows that there is a gap and limitation in our social safety- net system particularly on how the Government’s efficiency as well as other authorities managing, funding the systems. Hence, reassess and strengthen current social protection mechanisms by integrating adaptive features that are responsive to local vulnerabilities. Using a quantitative approach, data will be collected through systematic random sampling among residents of Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) in Kuala Lumpur. The findings are expected to explore the critical parameters of an adaptive social safety-net to development of a more resilient and inclusive social protection framework that better supports low-income households during unforeseen shocks and contributes to long-term socioeconomic stability.

Emotion-Focused Coping with the Increasing Cost of Living: Insights from Middle-Income Households in Klang Valley

Nor Hasniah Kasim — 2025-12-03

The increasing cost of living significantly affects urban middle-income households in Klang Valley, Malaysia, prompting various coping strategies to manage associated stress. This qualitative study examines emotion-focused coping strategies through in-depth interviews with eight middle-income participants. Thematic analysis identified four primary strategies: seeking social support, mental disengagement, acceptance, and religious coping. Participants sought emotional support from close relationships, found temporary relief through activities like hiking or cooking, and embraced acceptance to confront challenges and foster resilience. Religious coping, including prayer and acts of charity, provided solace and emotional strength. While these strategies alleviate emotional distress and promote resilience, they do not address the root economic challenges. The findings emphasise the importance of integrating emotion-focused and problem-focused approaches to support households facing financial stress.

Trust and Networking as Elements of Social Capital During Fieldwork in Malaysia to Mitigate Methodological Obstacles: A Bangladeshi Overview

Bushra Zaman — 2025-12-03

This paper examines the roles of trust and networking in overcoming fieldwork challenges in Malaysia. The obstacles and their management were described using a phenomenological methodology. Among the most challenging aspects of fieldwork are gender stereotypes, language barrier, safety and security of the researcher, the inherent unpredictability of migrant workers, and the initial rejection of the primary informants. Data was successfully collected from Indonesian and Bangladeshi migrant workers by creating and strengthening networks, building relationships as a means of bonding with people from the same country, achieving acceptance, and exploring alternative means of addressing the different challenges being endured and organised. Despite the unpredictability of fieldwork, the findings demonstrated that impediments can be reduced through the active participation of researchers in identifying risks and developing strategies to mitigate them. Two essential components of social capital — trust and networking — played a crucial role in overcoming fieldwork obstacles. This article describes the researcher's fieldwork experiences and how the elements of social capital, trust and networking are utilised to overcome obstacles. This paper aims to contribute to the reduction of methodological obstacles and the development of a risk management strategy for future researchers, particularly female researchers in a foreign country, by sharing practical experiences and challenges and empowering them in their research endeavours.

Cabaran Penjagaan Penjaga Tidak Formal Pesakit Kanser: Kajian Kes di Negeri Johor

Ahmad Khirul Nizam Ali — 2025-12-03

This study aims to identify the challenges faced by informal caregivers of cancer patients and examine the relationship between caregivers’ demographic backgrounds and their caregiving experiences. This qualitative study employed a case study approach using semi-structured interviews involving seven informal caregivers registered with the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation (YKTLJ). Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data, while data validation was conducted through member checking to ensure the reliability of the findings. The results reveal that informal caregivers face various challenges, including physical and mental fatigue, emotional stress due to patients’ behavioural changes, financial burden, and lack of social support. Demographic factors such as gender, marital status, age, education level, and place of residence were found to influence the types of challenges encountered. The study is supported by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory and the Caregiving Dynamics Theory, which explain how the imbalance between caregivers’ needs and caregiving demands can affect their overall well-being. The findings underscore the urgent need for structured and targeted support to be provided to informal caregivers through psychosocial interventions, financial assistance, and community-based caregiving training in order to enhance the quality of life for both caregivers and patients.