RECENTLY, a suggestion surfaced that the retirement age for civil servants be extended from 60 to 62 years old. Various reasons have been given to support the idea, such as the increase in life expectancy among Malaysians, global economic uncertainty, difficulty maintaining skilled workers in critical industries, as well as comparative studies done with other countries that have increased their retirement age.
The standard retirement age varies from country to country but it is generally between 50 and 70. In some countries, this age is even different for males and females, although this has recently been challenged. Whatever it is, the proposed plan to extend the retirement age should be examined carefully before any final decision is given.
It’s a fact that not everyone is able to work up to the targeted age of retirement due to many factors, especially health.
As we grow older, our health deteriorates. This will certainly affect the quality of our performance at work. As a result, it will affect the quality of our services for the public.
Extending the retirement age will also close many opportunities for the younger generation to join the government service.
In the long term, it will increase the number of unemployed people, which eventually leads to other social and economic problems.
Hopefully, the government, especially the Public Service Department, will consider the proposal cautiously and take into account the views of the workers themselves.
DR MUZAFFAR SYAH MALLOW, Faculty Syariah & Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia