MALAYSIA'S POPULATION WILL REACH 35 MLN BY 2020

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's population is expected to reach 35 million by 2020.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said this projection was made based on the trend of today's generation having nucleus families.

"We do not set a target. But from the current rate and trend where we have smaller families (compared to the previous generations), we should hit 35 million by 2020," she told reporters after delivering a keynote address at the International Population Conference 2011, here, Monday.

At present, Malaysia has a population of 27 million.

Shahrizat said 9.9 per cent of Malaysia's population were now aged 60 and above and their number would rise to 15 per cent by 2030.

"Therefore, as early preparation in facing the situation of an ageing population, the ministry will submit to the cabinet, a proposal paper on the issue.

"We need to have a strategic plan on how to make use of senior citizens as a useful resource for the country's development. They must be seen as a resource and not as a burden," she said.

Earlier in her speech, Shahrizat said to address increasing senior citizens' needs, the government had in January approved the Senior Citizen's Policy and its Plan of Action.

She said, among others, the action plan stated that the country would require 700 geriatricians by 2020. Currently, there are only 21 geriatricians in the country.

"As a responsible and forward-looking government, we are also currently studying options for a more comprehensive social security programme for the elderly and those suffering unemployment, sickness and disability.

"We are orienting the provision of services through day-care centres towards integrating the elderly into society," she said.

To date, she said, there were 22 day-care centres for senior citizens run by non-governmental organisations in the country.
-- BERNAMA