Note: RSK are government-operated homes for destitute elderly, not listed in the Senior Living Malaysia directory of 221 private pay-care facilities. If you are looking for fee-paying options, browse the private directory.
What is Rumah Seri Kenangan?
Rumah Seri Kenangan (literally "Home of Happy Memories") are residential care facilities run directly by Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM), Malaysia's Department of Social Welfare. They have existed since 1950 and are part of the federal government welfare system.
RSK are not the same as JKM-registered private care centres. The 528+ private care centres listed in JKM's register are run by private operators and charge fees (typically RM 500 to RM 5,000+/month depending on the home). RSK are government-operated, means-tested, and completely free.
Who qualifies?
All six criteria must be met. There is no partial eligibility.
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Malaysian citizen |
| Age | 60 years or above |
| Income | No income (destitute) |
| Housing | No permanent place of residence |
| Family support | No family members able to provide care |
| Physical condition | Ambulant and able to self-care. No contagious infectious disease. No psychiatric illness. |
Admission can also be ordered by court under the Vagrancy Act 1977 for eligible individuals found destitute.
What RSK provides
- ✓ Accommodation and meals — provided at no charge. Standard duration is 3 years, renewable.
- ✓ Basic health services — general health monitoring and referral to government hospitals. Not a nursing facility.
- ✓ Social and counselling services — psychosocial support, recreational activities, and religious programmes.
- ✓ Prayer facilities — most RSK have surau / prayer spaces on-site.
How to apply
- 1 Visit your district JKM office Apply at the Pejabat Kebajikan Masyarakat Daerah (District Social Welfare Office) in the area where the elderly person currently resides. You can find your nearest office via jkm.gov.my or by calling Talian Kasih 15999.
- 2 Welfare officer investigation A JKM welfare officer will conduct a home visit and prepare an investigation report assessing eligibility. Prepare: MyKad (or certified copy), any medical certificates, and evidence of no family support or income.
- 3 Approval by Director General The investigation report goes to the Director General of Social Welfare for final approval. Waiting time varies by state and availability at the relevant RSK.
- 4 Placement at nearest RSK Placement is typically at the RSK serving your state or region, subject to available beds.
RSK locations across Malaysia
There are currently 11 known Rumah Seri Kenangan facilities operated under JKM. Placement is based on your state and availability at the time of approval — you cannot choose a specific RSK. Contact Talian Kasih or your district JKM office to confirm current vacancies.
| RSK | State | Address / Contact |
|---|---|---|
| RSK Taiping | Perak | Jalan Stesen, 34000 Taiping, Perak 05-807 2718 |
| RSK Kinta | Perak | Kinta area, Perak Contact JKM Perak for address |
| RSK Seri Iskandar | Perak | Seri Iskandar, Perak Contact JKM Perak for address |
| RSK Cheras | Selangor / KL | KM18 Jalan Cheras Kajang, 43000 Kajang, Selangor 03-8739 3289 |
| RSK Bedong | Kedah | Jalan Bedong, 08100 Bedong, Kedah Contact JKM Kedah for direct line |
| RSK Seremban | Negeri Sembilan | Seremban, Negeri Sembilan Contact JKM NS for address |
| RSK Cheng | Melaka | Cheng, Melaka Contact JKM Melaka for address |
| RSK Johor Bahru | Johor | Kg Ungku Mohsin area, Johor Bahru Contact JKM Johor for address |
| RSK Kemumin | Kelantan | Taman Kemumin, Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan 09-773 8388 |
| RSK Kangar | Perlis | Kangar, Perlis Contact JKM Perlis for address |
| RSK Kuching | Sarawak | 12th Mile, Jalan Kuching-Serian, Padawan, Sarawak 156-bed facility, opened 2022 |
Addresses for some facilities are unconfirmed from public sources. All placements are arranged through JKM and do not require families to contact the RSK directly. Source: JKM official listings and verified third-party records; last reviewed May 2026. Report an error.
When RSK is not an option
Most families researching senior care do not qualify for RSK — either because the elderly person has some income, has a home, has family nearby, or needs a level of medical care RSK cannot provide. There are three tiers of alternatives:
Subsidised NGO / charity homes — RM 300 to RM 1,500/month
Around 107 NGO and charity-run operators appear in the JKM registered-care-centre list. These homes charge subsidised fees — typically RM 300 to RM 1,500 per month — funded through donations, church/mosque fundraising, or government grants. They are a genuine option for low-income families who have some means but cannot afford market-rate care. Many are faith-affiliated (Buddhist welfare societies, churches, mosque-linked bodies). They appear alongside private operators in the main directory.
JKM-registered private care centres — RM 1,200 to RM 3,500/month
The bulk of Malaysia's 500+ registered senior care centres. JKM registration covers assisted daily living — meals, personal care, companionship. These are the right choice for a parent who needs structured care but not clinical nursing. Browse by state in the directory.
MOH-licensed nursing homes — RM 3,000 to RM 8,000/month
For a parent who needs clinical nursing care — tube feeding, wound care, post-stroke or post-surgical recovery. MOH licensing requires registered nurses on duty and a medical director. A smaller subset of operators hold both MOH and JKM registration. The directory lets you filter by MOH licensed or both licences.
The bottom line
RSK fills a specific gap: elderly Malaysians who are genuinely destitute, homeless, and have no family. If your parent fits that profile, RSK is a real option and the application process through your district JKM office is the right path. Call Talian Kasih 15999 first to confirm current availability.
For everyone else, Malaysia's senior care landscape runs from subsidised NGO homes (RM 300 to RM 1,500/month) through JKM-registered private centres to MOH-licensed nursing homes for clinical care. The right level depends on what your parent needs medically, not just what the budget allows.
The directory lists all three tiers across all 15 states, with licensing status shown on every listing so you know exactly what you are comparing.
For a plain-English explanation of how MOH and JKM licensing differ in the private sector, see MOH licensing vs JKM registration. For the full cost landscape across states and care levels, see cost of eldercare in Malaysia.
Searching for a private or subsidised home?
The directory covers all 15 Malaysian states and includes both commercial operators and JKM-registered charity homes. Filter by state, care type, and licensing status.
Browse the directory