Kuala Lumpur: The National Social Council Meeting No. 1/2025, led by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, has agreed to form a Special Committee on Islamic Preschool Education. The initiative aims to enhance the registration, curriculum development, and teacher welfare at Pusat Asuhan Tunas Islam (PASTI), ensuring the provision of quality, safe, and structured preschool education.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, announced that a proposal paper will be put forward to the Cabinet, outlining a more structured and quality-focused roadmap for early childhood education. The meeting also emphasized the need for a task force to address social issues among school dropouts, such as drug abuse, through targeted cross-agency collaboration.

The discussion also covered the welfare of 560 children linked to GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH), with plans for integrated coordination among ministries, agencies, and state religious institutions to ensure their well-being. Ahmad Zahid highlighted that the government has allocated RM1.2 million for programs focusing on identity development, parenting advocacy, and spiritual rehabilitation for these children.

Furthermore, the meeting stressed the importance of establishing a long-term care system for senior citizens, aligning with Pillar 5 of the National Ageing Action Framework. It aims to reduce reliance on government financial resources by restructuring the social support system to be more sustainable, as the population of Malaysians aged 60 and above is expected to reach 15 per cent by 2030, with many lacking insurance coverage.

Ahmad Zahid reiterated that the National Social Council serves as a unifying forum, bringing together the government, agencies, private sector, NGOs, and civil society to tackle the nation's social challenges. He called for unified action and a shared commitment to build a progressive, just, and resilient MADANI Malaysia.