Key Issues 5. RIGHTS OF OLDER PERSONS The Commission identified the rights of older persons as a priority area for research for the year. As a practical entry-point, it examined issues connected to care services and support for caregivers. Consultations with stakeholders highlighted that: • The unsuitable built environment of some facilities poses a major physical obstacle and challenge to older persons. • There is denial of access to financial services, in particular loan facilities, as older persons are deemed as being not creditworthy because of their age. • Many older persons face financial difficulties in their retirement years, especially if they were once self-employed. • Their health problems merit the delivery of affordable and accessible healthcare services. • The Ministry of Health is faced with a shortage of resources and this has affected the provision of services. It was suggested that the Government should explore engagement with private operators to extend affordable care services, and train medical personnel to provide healthcare services to older persons. The National Policy for Older Persons, Plan of Action for Older Persons and relevant laws should be tightened to ensure full protection of the rights of this target group. 6. FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY In its Report on the Public Inquiry into Incidents During and After the Public Assembly of 28 April 2012, the Commission flagged the important role of the authorities in facilitating peaceful assemblies, and recommended a review of the Standard Operating Procedure of the police in accordance with the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and international human rights standards. The Commission also called on rally organisers and participants to respect the role of the authorities and to develop appropriate guidelines to prevent untoward incidents. Judging from the public assemblies held during the year, the Commission observed some changes in the operations of the authorities, particularly during the ‘KL 112’ rally on 12 January in Kuala Lumpur. This was a good example of a peaceful assembly resulting 12 The Commission further deems it necessary for the police to ensure that the line of communications is maintained during an assembly, to prevent confusion with respect to orders issued by officers and action by personnel. The police should also respect and uphold the rights of those arrested, in particular their right to legal counsel and to be informed of the grounds of arrest.