Kuala lumpur: The Social Work Profession Bill 2026, passed by the Dewan Negara today, marks a significant milestone in efforts to develop a more professional, ethical and high-quality social service delivery framework for the well-being of the people.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Lim Hui Ying stated that the Bill was drafted to recognise social work as a profession that requires competence, formal training, and clear standards of practice. She emphasized that the profession is distinct from volunteer work and caregiving, as it involves a systematic and professional intervention process to safeguard the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
"This Bill does not regulate volunteer or caregiving activities. Instead, it focuses on practitioners who provide social work services professionally," Lim said, adding that the Bill provides a regulatory framework by establishing the Malaysian Social Work Profession Council. The council will be responsible for registering social work practitioners, setting competency standards, regulating professional ethics and discipline, and formulating regulations to ensure high-quality and ethical social service delivery.
Lim further explained that the framework would support continuous professional development, harmonise social work standards nationwide, provide a clearer career pathway for both new graduates and experienced practitioners, and protect the public from unqualified individuals providing social work services. "At the same time, its phased implementation and the drafting of regulations through engagements with ministries, academics, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and professional practitioners will ensure the regulatory system remains relevant, inclusive, and responsive to increasingly complex societal needs," she added.
She highlighted that the Bill was drafted in response to emerging challenges arising from demographic shifts, an ageing population, urbanisation, rising living costs, and technological advances, including artificial intelligence (AI), which are contributing to increasingly complex social issues. Lim also mentioned that the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) recognises that technological advances can improve efficiency and strengthen social service delivery but cannot replace the human values at the core of the profession.
"With the passage of the Social Work Profession Bill 2026 today, KPWKM is confident more opportunities will be created for competent social workers from the private sector and NGOs to work alongside the government in delivering high-quality, professional, and effective social services," Lim stated. "The passage of this Bill represents a long-term national investment in building a more credible and competitive social work profession. I am also confident that this recognition will create more opportunities and encourage more young people to pursue social work as a professional career with a meaningful impact on society," she concluded.