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WIDESPREAD loneliness among elderly Malaysians residing alone is driving an increasing number of senior citizens towards social media, leaving their life savings and retirement pensions exposed to predatory cyber syndicates.
Social Welfare Department (JKM) Director-General Datuk Che Murad Sayang Ramjan highlighted that social isolation frequently prompts older adults to spend extensive hours online, where lack of digital familiarity makes them primary targets for financial fraud.
Speaking at the National Senior Citizens Day 2026 celebrations at the Melaka International Trade Centre in Ayer Keroh, Che Murad urged adult children to actively monitor their aging parents' Internet habits to shield them from sophisticated online traps.
To combat the worrying uptick in financial crime targeting the elderly, JKM has partnered with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to roll out targeted scam awareness drives across Senior Citizens Activity Centres (PAWE) nationwide.
The national event, held under the banner 'Warga Emas Disayangi, Negara Harmoni', was officiated by Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
Che Murad Sayang emphasised that continuous advocacy and parental digital supervision are essential line-of-defence measures to prevent vulnerable seniors from engaging with fraudulent online entities.
He also reiterated JKM's commitment to supporting upcoming legislative safeguards, including the proposed Senior Citizens Protection Bill, to reinforce legal protections and welfare frameworks for the elderly population across the country. - October 4, 2026
