Shaping a Mission for an Ageing and Empowered Malaysia

On 28 July 2026, ASM convened the first Stakeholder Engagement Session for MOI Wellbeing and Empowerment of an Ageing Society (W-EmAS), bringing together close to 100 stakeholders to share their perspectives and help shape a coordinated national response to Malaysia’s evolving demographic landscape.

Held as a full-day workshop, it was designed to identify key challenges, gaps and opportunities in the complex and interconnected nature of population ageing, which extends beyond healthcare to areas such as social protection, the silver and care economy, community participation, and governance.

A scene-setting session led by experts provided a common foundation for discussions before participants were divided into four breakout groups. Each group focused on a critical aspect of ageing society development: Health, Wellbeing and Integrated Care; Social Protection, Caregiving and Economic Security; Participation, Inclusion and Lifelong Empowerment; and Age-Friendly Environments, Governance and Innovation.

The discussions highlighted the importance of integrated care systems, stronger social and financial protection, support for caregivers, intergenerational solidarity, lifelong learning opportunities and age-friendly societies and digital environments.

The discussions also emphasised the importance of dignity, social inclusion and meaningful participation among older persons, recognising them as valuable contributors to society rather than merely recipients of care.

As the first engagement under MOI W-EmAS, the session provided a strong foundation for future collaboration and mission development. The insights gathered will help inform the initiative’s priorities, governance arrangements, and potential high-impact projects, supporting the creation of an inclusive, productive, resilient, and sustainable ageing society ecosystem for Malaysia.