A/HRC/44/40/Add.3 Comments from the Government of Malaysia: • The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development through the Department of Social Welfare has organized state level PWDs registration campaign for 2019 as the following states: (i) Perak; (ii) Selangor; (iii) Terengganu; (iv) Johor; (v) Sabah; (vi) Sarawak; and (vii) Kedah. • At district level, the Department of Social Welfare regularly conducts empowerment programmes including registration campaign for PWDs in improving our delivery of service and information to the community. • The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development is currently undertaking two studies on the employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, as well as the support system for caregivers of PWDs in Malaysia. One of the main output from these studies is the establishment of a database on the demand (PWDs) and supply (employers) situation on employment; and existing support or assistance available for caregivers of PWDS as well as the real needs of these caregivers. Input from these findings will be used to review existing relevant policies. Older persons Paragraph 78 Workforce participation among people with disabilities is low, with approximately 4,500 workers in public and private sectors as of 2018, mainly due to a lack of accessible workplace environments and negative employer perceptions of people with disabilities. Many employers in Malaysia have failed to ensure workplaces are accessible. Comments from the Government of Malaysia: • Negative perception of employers against disabled is beyond the control the Government. However, for those disabled that are employed, a new section in Employment Act had been added with regard to discrimination in employment which includes the disabled. Paragraph 79 The Malaysian population is aging, with the proportion of the population over 65 expected to reach 15 percent by 2035. There are real concerns as to whether the pension schemes in place adequately protect people from poverty as they grow older. And those who are outside the formal workforce do not benefit from these schemes anyway. As of 2013, nearly 70 percent of 54 year-olds had less than RM50,000 (US$12,297) in savings. Eighty-nine percent of the Employees Provident Fund members say their savings are insufficient for retirement and 70 percent of those who withdraw from their Fund at age 55 reportedly use up their savings less than a decade after retiring. According to the UN Population Fund, the current monthly RM 300 (US$73) assistance provided to older people in poverty is not sufficient to fulfil their basic needs. Comments from the Government of Malaysia: • Financial Assistance for Older Persons amounting to RM350 (not RM 300) is provided to support the poor elderly so that they continue to live and lead a normal life with care, concern and support from their local community. The amount given exceeds the Poverty Line Income amount set by Ministry Of Economic Affairs. The financial assistance is to assist individuals or families with lower income to ease their financial burden temporarily or 40