KUALA LUMPUR: Extending the mandatory retirement age will enable civil servants to increase their savings, pay off debts and cover their living expenses.
Putrajaya Indian Civil Servants Association president Dr Sathiskumar K. Muthusamy said many civil servants made big financial commitments, such as house purchases and personal loans, only during their mid-career.
“As a result, they are unable to pay off these debts by the time they retire, while their pensions are not sufficient to cover these commitments and other costs, such as their children’s education and living expenses.
“So, extending it (retirement age) will provide financial relief to civil servants.”
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan at Dewan Rakyat on Thursday, announced that the mandatory retirement age limit would be reviewed.
Currently, the mandatory retirement for civil servants is 60 years old. This is also the minimum retirement age for private sector workers under the Minimum Retirement Age Act 2012.
Dr Sathiskumar suggested that any policy should be flexible as not all sectors were suitable for retirement age of 65 years old.
“Critical sectors such as medicine and education can be considered. For example, a medical consultant with extensive experience can still treat patients.
“However, the performance and health of civil servants need to be monitored to ensure that the quality of service is maintained and productivity is not affected,” he added.
National Union of Teaching Professions (NUTP) president Aminuddin Awang said Malaysia’s retirement age was lower than in Singapore and the Philippines.
He said in the short term, the policy might affect promotion opportunities and staff recruitment but the effect would not be significant in the long term.
“We must give those who are interested and have extensive experience the opportunity to continue serving for as long as they are able.”
Aminuddin said NUTP would propose to the government to establish a health screening and performance evaluation system for civil servants to ensure that only those who were fit could continue to serve till 65 years old. — BERNAMA
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