Healthcare and elderly care investment urged as Malaysia ages
KWAP is examining healthcare and silver economy opportunities through Dana Pemacu, while seeking to make retiree services more accessible.
Investment in care services and technology should help Malaysia prepare for population ageing, KWAP chief executive Datuk Jay Khairil Jeremy Abdullah said in Kuala Lumpur on October 19, 2026. He called for funding for healthcare, elderly care and technologies supporting independent living.
Speaking at the National Conference on Ageing (NCA) 2026, he said changing needs would open economic opportunities. Institutional investors could finance infrastructure, services and technology, but social benefits must be balanced against financial sustainability. He said investments still needed commercial justification and had to satisfy KWAP’s risk-return requirements.
Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) (KWAP) is continuing to examine potential investments through Dana Pemacu. The initiative supports the Government-Linked Enterprises Activation and Reform Programme (GEAR-uP) under Ekonomi MADANI. Its target areas include healthcare and the silver economy, covering offerings designed for older people.
Jay Khairil also outlined work on KWAP’s MyPesara platforms and assistance delivered in retirees’ communities. He said access should cater both to retirees familiar with apps and to those who would rather speak directly with someone.
He cited KWAP’s work with Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing (MyAgeing). That partnership began in 2017 and produced the Retirement Strategic Agenda in 2024. MyAgeing, the university, Kendana Malaysia, KWAP and the United Nations Population Fund jointly organise the three-day conference.
