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Form A Special Commitee To Study The Possibility Of Extending The Retirement Age In Malaysia Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the decision of the Cabinet against the extension of the compulsory retirement age of civil servants. 10.1.2000 | |||||||
| Since the 80s, we have been calling for the gradual extension of the retirement age from the present 55 years to 65 or 67. But, the Malaysian Government insists on the current practice, retaining each individual on his or her peformance and need. This extension on yearly basis is for one to three years. The retirement age for judges at 65 should also be extended. In the 50s of the last century, the British colonial government fixed the retirement age at 55. After about 50 years, Malaysians are living longer. Now, women live to and average age of 72 and men 69. In future, life expectancy may be over 80. In the 29.11.1999 General Election manifesto, Barisan Alternatif, the Alternative Front, called for the extension of the retirement age. In September last year, Cuepacs, the union for government workers, submitted a memorandum for the extension to 59. The Government has decided against the proposal. Different countries have | |
a different retirement age: Scandinavia 67, Britain 65, United States of America 62, Singapore 62, Thailand 60 and India 58. The implications of the extension for 880,000 civil servants include increase in the expenditure for salaries, the decrease in opportunites for promotion and the less able people remaining in the service. The private sector will follow the practice. With the advent of the new millennium, the Government must take this issue seriously. The Public Service Department, PSD, should form a special committee to study this problem. After all, it is the public sector personnel agency, striving for high performance in the preparation of human resources--to give excellent service through drawing up policies and management of human resources. PSD spends just over RM470 million annually. Hence, PSD should look into the pros and cons of extending the retirement age and present its report to Parliament. Dr Tan Seng Giaw | |||||
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