The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT/Kementerian Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan) plans to introduce new laws in the near future to meet the demands of the rapidly growing ageing population and restructure all national housing programs.

The ministry will introduce the Retirement Village Act (RUU/Rang Undang-Undang) of the National Housing Corporation, he said in an interview via email with FMT, although it did not mention the date.

KPKT said there was no specific legal definition in Malaysia regarding retirement homes as it was a new concept that had not been translated into a coherent policy and regulatory framework.

Taking note that the percentage of senior citizens in Malaysia will increase from 14.2% in 2030 to 23.1% in 2050, he said, the concept of retirement village will be matched with the needs of senior citizens by providing a safe community and equipped with facilities and security.

"The purpose of this bill is to provide control and licensing for the retirement village development business and to protect the interests of buyers (senior citizens) and related matters," he said.

He explained that the ministry took the initiative to start a policy review and legal preparation for the development of senior housing uniforms.

This includes planning, construction, building management and residential ownership to ensure the retirement village is safe, quality and affordable for the elderly.

It said the Care Centers Act 1993 and the Private Elderly Healthcare Facilities and Services Bill 2017 did not cover retirement village construction procedures, while existing, incomplete guidelines, needed to be improved after taking into account consumer ergonomic capabilities, including senior-friendly elements.

National Housing Corporation Bill (Rang Undang-Undang Perbadanan Perumahan Negara)

Meanwhile, the National Housing Corporation Bill, will pave the way for the establishment of a new corporation under the ministry that will consolidate and restructure all national housing programs under the jurisdiction of several ministries.

The program includes Perumahan Rakyat 1Malaysia Corporation (PR1MA) and housing scheme for civil servants (PPAM) under the Prime Minister's Department and Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) under the Ministry of Finance.

"This bill will examine the centralization of matters related to progress and development activities involving affordable housing, infrastructure and facilities as well as monitoring and maintenance activities that will be implemented by the new corporation," he said.

Emphasizing that the bill may overlap with existing laws, especially the 1Malaysia People's Housing Act 2012, the ministry said, further study and consultation process with relevant parties is needed before the bill is drafted.