He said the matter was discussed during the first meeting of the Cabinet committee for the welfare of these groups.

“This committee aims to approach the issues holistically by ensuring their well-being and welfare are protected against manipulation, neglect and abuse,” he said in a statement.

Ismail added that the committee would study issues related to centres that cater to these vulnerable groups.

“The membership of this committee will also be expanded to include representatives from NGOs that coordinate the protection of these groups,” he said.

He said the government had also approached various parties to tackle issues related to homelessness with plans to create another committee for it.

“This is because there are no legislations that deal with the operations and management of homelessness in the country,” he said.

Ismail pointed out that the meeting also agreed to improve the registration of existing care centres, increase enforcement in these centres as well as revise the Care Centres Act 1993 (Act 506) and Regulations 1994.

“We will also enforce the Private Aged Healthcare and Services Act 2018 (Act 802) in preparation for the country becoming an ageing population in 2030,” he said.

There are also plans to standardise tahfiz management and education through the National Tahfiz Education Policy (DTPN), he added.