Children found neglecting aged parents should pay fines, community service, says expert
SHAH ALAM - Children who neglect their aged parents should be subjected to fines and community service.
The government could further make it mandatory to deduct salaries as a form of compensation too, said Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) Legal and Constitutional expert Associate Professor Dr Khairil Azmin Mokhtar.
He said the punishment must be a ‘win-win’ situation to ensure senior citizens’ welfare are looked into.
However, he said a prison sentence is not suitable as it would not benefit the elderly.
“We must take into account if the children are able to afford. If they were given a prison sentence their lives and families will be affected along with their parents.
“Community service and salary deductions are more favourable to deter such issues.
“An assessment of each child's ability to pay must be done as siblings earn different amounts,” he said.
He added the government’s move to introduce a senior citizens act was a good move but it must include the mental, physical and psychological aspect of the elderly.
For instance, in Singapore there is a legal provision that allows parents to apply for a tribunal against their children.
India has a parental and senior citizen welfare bill which is much more comprehensive, he said.
