Insurance and economic experts propose redirecting subsidies in Malaysia to fund social health insurance for older people. They argue that the sugar subsidy, among others, should be reallocated to support long-term care for the older population, similar to Singapore's ElderShield program. They emphasize the need for both private and public sector funding and propose increasing taxes on alcohol and cigarettes as additional sources. With Malaysia's ageing population, this shift in funding priorities is seen as crucial for ensuring adequate social protection for the older people.
