It’s Chinese New Year, but elder abuse means some Malaysians are alone and neglected

Studies show close to 1 in 10 elders are abused in urban communities in the country, which is set to have an ageing population by 2020

The government is considering a law to protect neglected parents, but says an in-depth study is needed first

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Some Malaysians “are highly educated and in well-paying jobs but can’t even call to check on their parents”, according an operator of an elder-care home. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 7:00pm, 6 Feb 2019Updated: 9:29pm, 6 Feb 2019

This week, families across Malaysia gathered for Reunion Dinner, the most important meal of the Lunar New Year season. With some travelling across the country to make it home in time, it’s an occasion when several generations of a family can sit down to usher in the new year and take stock of their togetherness.

Unfortunately, not everyone gets a chance to spend time with their loved ones during this period. TC Lam*, a retiree who stays in a senior citizens home just outside Kuala Lumpur, is spending the holiday season with other residents whose families have not contacted them.

“I wanted to come to the home,” said Lam, 91. “When I stayed with my son and his wife I only got scoldings, complaints. I am old, I forget many things, but they will always be upset even if it is a small thing. Once they left me at home and disappeared for three days, later I found out they went on a holiday. Nobody talked to me or told me anything.”

Although Lam did not part with his family on the best of terms, he did not expect them to cut off contact. He hasn’t heard from them in eight months, and when the new year rolled around he didn’t receive a single phone call.

“I don’t know what I did,” he said.

Lam’s story is not unique in Malaysia, where experts claim elder abuse and neglect is prevalent. Although no official statistics exist on the phenomenon, studies from academics affiliated with University Malaya’s Prevent Elder Abuse and Neglect Initiative (Peace) posit that one in every 20 elders is abused in rural areas. For urban communities, academics believe the figure is closer to 1 in 10.