PETALING JAYA, Oct 12 — Selangor is expecting a rise in dementia cases as the state’s elderly population continues to grow in line with Malaysia’s transition into an ageing nation, said state executive councillor for public health Jamaliah Jamaluddin.
She noted that key urban areas such as Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam, and Subang Jaya have recorded a significant increase in elderly residents, with over 10 per cent of their population aged 65 and above.
As such, she said the Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) launch of the Inclusive Care City initiative at the Selangor International Care Summit (SICS) is a timely step towards addressing the issue more effectively.
“Dementia is one of the world’s major public health issues. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 55 million people globally live with dementia, and this number is projected to double by 2050.
“I am very pleased that MBPJ is promoting public awareness on what we can do and how to manage dementia-related issues.
"I am confident that the Inclusive Care City action plan, which focuses on the elderly, will be impactful, and Selangor is the only state to have developed such a plan,” she said after officiating the Living with Dementia: Steps and Awareness programme organised by MBPJ at Dewan BU 11 here today.
Also present were Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM) chairperson Tan Sri Hasmah Abdullah and Petaling Jaya deputy mayor Aznan Hassan.
Jamaliah said to address the growing dementia issue, the state government will strengthen mental health and elderly care support networks, in addition to continuing statewide health screening programmes.
“We believe that sustainable development cannot be achieved without a society that is healthy physically, mentally, and socially. When it comes to dementia, community knowledge and empathy play a crucial role.
“Dementia patients require not only medical treatment but also social support, family understanding, and community attention. The collaboration between MBPJ and ADFM demonstrates that when the public, private, and community sectors work together, the results are far more effective and meaningful,” she said.
At the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2025, MBPJ became the first local authority in the state to implement a care economy action plan with the launch of the Inclusive Care City initiative.
Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Zahri Samingon said the plan supports the Selangor Care Economy Policy 2024–2030, which is relevant given that Petaling Jaya has a population of more than 2.3 million, making it one of the most densely populated and rapidly developing areas in the state.
