There will be no more new welfare homes for the aged set up by the government from now on.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rohani Abdul Karim said more and more people now tended to send their aged parents and relatives to these homes, instead of caring for them in their twilight years.

"Such a habit must be stopped. So, there is no plan for any new such home to add to the nine in existence," Rohani said when opening the Kampung Malaysia Jaya Activity Centre for Senior Citizens in Kuching yesterday.

"Some children conveniently dump their parents there to avoid taking care of them. Some callous ones will just drop them off at the gate and then drive away, instead of sending them in.

"In fact, we are even converting on a trial basis, the one in Kuala Lumpur into a respite centre.

"Those who send their parents there will be charged RM50 per day (per person) to pay for the meals and services offered," she said.

Like a temporary hotel

Rohani said such a centre would be like a temporary hotel to cater to aged parents when their children had to leave for the haj or umrah, travelling outstation for a number of days or when they were sick.

She said if the response was encouraging, more homes for the aged would be so converted.

Rohani also said that her ministry was still studying on coming up with a senior citizen's card in the country, as done in Australia or the United Kingdom.

"Such a card not only identifies the respective aged citizens, but will also give them some privileges based on their age, at airports and other places, as well as special discounts on certain purchases and services," she said.

On domestic violence, Rohani said increasing cases nationwide had been reported and now even affected senior citizens, with 200 cases reported to date.

"My ministry is in the process of amending the Domestic Violence Act to try find a solution to such abuses and mistreatment," she said.

- Bernama