Answer to Written Question PT045

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed

YANG BERHORMAT AWANG ZAINOL BIN HAJI MOHAMED asks the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports to state the total number of reported cases involving neglect, abuse or loneliness among senior citizens since 2020? What is the government's long-term support plan to strengthen community care as well as the registration of primary caregivers for this group?

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan

1. Thank you to Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed for the question regarding the total number of cases of neglect, abuse or loneliness among senior citizens and the government's long-term support plan to strengthen community care as well as the registration of primary caregivers.
2. Senior citizens facing various forms of vulnerability have received intervention through Projek Memeduli Warga Emas (PMWE) managed by the Department of Community Development (JAPEM). The cases handled include neglect by family members, family conflict, living alone, loneliness, financial hardship, as well as situations where senior citizens are abandoned or bedridden in hospital without a caregiver. The recorded data shows that issues concerning the welfare of senior citizens remain a priority and require continuous attention. In 2020, a total of 26 cases were reported, followed by a significant increase to 84 cases in 2021. This number decreased to 32 cases in 2022, but rose again to 44 cases in 2023 and 57 cases in 2024. For the period from January to July 2025 alone, a total of 56 senior citizens received intervention under PMWE. This statistical pattern reflects the ongoing need for intervention, despite fluctuations from year to year, while emphasizing the importance of a consistent and responsive support system to the needs of senior citizens.
3. In line with the Family First policy, which is JAPEM's main principle in social care, every case received will first be resolved through the active involvement of immediate family members. For this purpose, family conferences will be organised with family members together with relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Health, Ketua Kampung and Majlis Perundingan Kampung (MPK) to reach the best and most sustainable collective decision in determining the appropriate form of care for the senior citizen concerned.
4. At the same time, JAPEM is also strengthening a community-based approach by establishing close cooperation with Ketua Kampung, MPK and youth volunteer groups from higher education institutions and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Through this initiative, various community activities have been carried out, including house-cleaning campaigns for senior citizens' homes, psychosocial support visits, and physical assistance for their daily needs.
5. For senior citizens who have transport problems or do not have family members to bring them, transport services for hospital or government health clinic appointments are also provided in collaboration with Brunei Red Crescent (BRC). This is to ensure that the senior citizens are not cut off from receiving basic healthcare treatment regularly. In addition, monthly medicine delivery services to their residences are also carried out to avoid the need for them to wait long at hospital pharmacies and health clinics, while also reducing risks to their health.
6. JAPEM also provides in-kind assistance to bedridden senior citizens. This assistance includes non-basic necessities such as disposable diapers and special milk distributed through applications under the Sistem Kebajikan Negara (SKN). This initiative is not only intended to reduce the burden borne by senior citizens and their family members, but also enables JAPEM to conduct continuous monitoring through home visits during the delivery of assistance. The implementation of this assistance is carried out with the support of the Kumpulan Sukarelawan Komuniti Kebajikan (KSKK) and youths. In 2025, as of July, a total of 90 people had received such in-kind assistance.
7. In addition to support in the form of direct assistance and case intervention, the Government's long-term efforts in building a sustainable community support system for senior citizens are also realised through the establishment of Pusat Kegiatan Warga Emas (PKWE) in every district. PKWE functions as an activity centre that provides an inclusive platform for senior citizens to participate in various meaningful activities. The programmes organised include religious activities, aerobics, handicrafts, small-scale entrepreneurship, as well as information technology skills training so that senior citizens are not left behind in the country's digital current. PKWE also functions as a place to reduce loneliness and encourage social interaction among senior citizens, especially those experiencing empty nest syndrome when living alone during daytime hours.
8. Besides functioning as a daily activity centre, PKWE also has the potential to be made into a community support centre or community support hub for senior citizens facing difficulties such as living alone, family problems or the absence of social support. Through collaboration with village heads, volunteers and related agencies, PKWE can coordinate visits to senior citizens' homes, deliver basic necessities assistance, and provide continuous psychosocial and moral support. This approach not only helps improve the well-being of senior citizens, but also encourages them to contribute again to the community in a suitable capacity.
9. Among the social protection services under the Old Age and Disability Pensions Act, Chapter 18, is the provision of the Old Age Pension (PUT) of $250 per month. In addition, senior citizens certified as Persons with Disabilities (OKU) are also eligible to apply for the Disability Allowance (EKU) of $250. Qualifying conditions include individuals who experience permanent weakness due to stroke, paralysis or inability to move (bedridden), are fully dependent on a wheelchair (wheelchair-bound), amputation, vision and hearing problems, neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia or Parkinson's, or other disabilities certified by medical officers of the Ministry of Health. As of June 2025, a total of 1,067 senior citizens were receiving double benefit, namely those receiving both PUT and EKU simultaneously.
10. The Government's long-term strategy in strengthening community care for senior citizens includes a comprehensive approach based on family values, community solidarity, multi-agency cooperation, and recognition of primary caregivers. These initiatives are part of the Government's continuous efforts to ensure that no senior citizen is marginalised or neglected in society, and that every individual advancing into old age can live with dignity, safety, activeness and well-being.
11. In the context of support for primary caregivers, since 2021, the Old Age and Disability Pensions Act, Chapter 18, has provided the Care Provider Allowance (EPP) to individuals caring for senior citizens who are also recipients of the Disability Allowance (EKU). Valid caregivers who have been registered to carry out full-time caregiving duties are eligible to receive an allowance of $250 per month for each EKU recipient, with a maximum limit of two caregiving cases (totalling $500 per month). This initiative not only recognises the important role of caregivers in contributing to the informal care system, but also encourages more individuals in the community to come forward to play the role of primary caregiver in an organised and responsible manner. As of June 2025, a total of 428 EPP recipients (15.6%) were for the care of senior citizens only, out of the overall total of 2,735 registered EPP recipients.
12. Overall, the Government's long-term strategy in strengthening community care for senior citizens includes a comprehensive approach based on family values, community solidarity, multi-agency cooperation, and recognition of primary caregivers. These initiatives are part of the Government's continuous efforts to ensure that no senior citizen is marginalised or neglected in society, and that every individual advancing into old age can live with dignity, safety, activeness and well-being.
13. That is all that can be explained. Thank you.