s 12 Appointment of and applications by Commissioner for the Maintenance of Parents
12.—(1) The Minister may appoint —(a) a Commissioner for the Maintenance of Parents; and (b) any number of Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners for the Maintenance of Parents that the Minister may consider necessary, on the terms and conditions determined by the Minister. (2) The Commissioner may make an application under this Act on behalf of a parent of or above 60 years of age (whether or not the parent is able to do so) or represent the parent in any proceedings or appeal under this Act.[Act 22 of 2023 wef 01/07/2024] (3) [Deleted by Act 22 of 2023 wef 01/07/2024] (4) Even though a parent is below the minimum age specified in subsection (2), the Commissioner may make an application on the parent’s behalf or represent the parent if the Commissioner is satisfied that the parent is suffering from infirmity of mind or body which prevents the parent from maintaining or makes it difficult for the parent to maintain himself or herself or if there is any other special reason.[Act 22 of 2023 wef 01/07/2024] (5) Subject to section 12A, where a claim in respect of a parent is referred to the Commissioner under section 3(3), or before the Commissioner makes an application under section 3(1) on behalf of the parent, the Commissioner may do all or any of the following:(a) refer the parent to any relevant Government or other agency for assistance; (b) refer the differences between the parent (or, where the claim is referred by an approved person or organisation, the approved person or organisation) and the parent’s children for conciliation;[Act 22 of 2023 wef 01/07/2024] (c) take any other measure that the Commissioner thinks fit.[37/2010] [Act 22 of 2023 wef 01/07/2024] (6) If a claim has not been settled after referral to the relevant Government or other agency or for conciliation or any other measure taken under subsection (5), an application may be made to the Tribunal under section 3.[37/2010] (7) The Commissioner may, by written notice, require any person to appear at any reasonable time and at any convenient place for the purposes of conciliation under subsection (5)(b).[37/2010] [Act 22 of 2023 wef 01/07/2024] (7A) If a person does not attend any session of conciliation for a claim as required under subsection (7), the Tribunal may (when determining an application made under section 3 in respect of the claim) take that into account in deciding whether to —(a) give a direction under section 6(5); or (b) order costs under section 20(1)(a).[Act 22 of 2023 wef 01/07/2024] (8) The Commissioner may generally do all things incidental to or consequential upon the discharge of his or her functions or the exercise of his or her powers under this Act.[37/2010]