The minister for Women, Family and Community Development, Rohani Abdul Karim, said more and more people now tended to send their aged parents and relatives to these homes instead of caring for them in their twilight years.

“Such a habit must be stopped. So, there is no plan for any such new homes to add to the nine in existence,” she said when opening the Kampung Malaysia Jaya Activity Centre For Senior Citizens here today.

“Some children conveniently dump their parents there to avoid taking care of them. Some callous ones will just drop them off at the gate and then drive away instead of sending them in.

“In fact, we are even converting on a trial basis, the one in Kuala Lumpur into a respite centre. Those who send their parents there will be charged RM50 per day (per person) to pay for the meals and services offered,” she said.

Rohani said such a centre would be like a temporary hotel to cater to aged parents when their children had to leave for the Haj or Umrah, were travelling outstation for a number of days or when they were sick.

She said if the response was encouraging, more homes for the aged would be converted into respite centres.

Rohani also said her ministry was still studying the issuance of cards for senior citizens in the country as in Australia or Britain.

“Such a card not only identifies aged citizens, but will also entitle them to certain privileges based on their age, at airports and other places, as well as special discounts on certain purchases and services,” she said.

Rohani said senior citizens were also affected by domestic violence, with 200 cases reported to date. She said the Domestic Violence Act would be amended in an attempt to find a solution to such abuses and mistreatment.