KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia must urgently strengthen its family institutions as a foundation for national well-being as the country prepares to enter ageing nation status by 2048, said Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
She said Malaysia is projected to become an ageing nation when those aged 65 and above make up at least 14 per cent of the population, a demographic shift that will have far-reaching implications for social welfare, healthcare systems and economic sustainability.
“This transition requires early planning and collective awareness to ensure its impact can be managed effectively, especially for vulnerable groups,” she said, referring to the National Ageing Action Plan 2025–2045.
Dr Wan Azizah was speaking at the MADANI Family Inspiration Seminar held at the Sabah International Convention Centre here.
She stressed that while government policies play an important role, families remain the first line of support in caring for the elderly, nurturing children and maintaining emotional stability within society.
Beyond demographic challenges, Dr Wan Azizah highlighted the growing pressures faced by families in the digital era. She noted that the abundance of unfiltered online content places greater responsibility on parents to act as protectors and guides for their children.
“Everything is at our fingertips today. We are exposed to both positive and negative content. The question is how we filter it, especially for the next generation,” she said.
While acknowledging the government’s role in setting policies, she emphasised that effective monitoring of children’s digital exposure begins at home.
Dr Wan Azizah also expressed concern over the increasing reliance on gadgets as a means of calming young children while parents attend to daily responsibilities, warning that this could have long-term effects on emotional and social development.
To build resilient families, she called for the revival of core values such as rahmah (compassion), mawaddah (love) and sakinah (tranquillity), along with the cultivation of courtesy and wisdom in daily interactions.
The seminar brought together participants from government agencies, non-governmental organisations, academics and the local community to exchange ideas on building harmonious families in a rapidly changing world.