LETTERS: Much Has Been Said and Discussed About Ageing, Retirement and Retirees, and with Good Reason.
Malaysia is on the way to becoming an ageing nation with a 13 to 15 per cent increase of those above age 60 by 2030.
Recently, while attending a conference at the National University of Singapore, I felt inspired to see how older citizens were active in certain sectors.
I saw a few of them working at the airport, the transport service and the university.
In January, I will be 73, and officially retired after 17 years. Mine was a compulsory retirement at 56.
Being in the health profession, I graduated at 26.
My profession requires one to have a specialist qualification via postgraduate training, which can be sought after at least two years if not more of being a general practitioner.
Hence, by the time I was done with all the studying, I had turned 38.
The Malaysian Dental Act requires universities offering dentistry to produce "safe and competent" graduates or practitioners. Hence the need to supervise the work of clinical students.
Did I actually stop working? Yes and no. Yes as a clinician as I reached 65, but I continued teaching, supervising and doing community work after my retirement.
The joy of teaching and conducting research remains with me.
It is a thrill to see new students in class, working with them on their projects and mentoring and nurturing their interests in their professions.
For me, it is the feeling of being useful, keeping a harmonious family relationship and contributing to the profession.
I want to play a part in nation building in my own way, at my own pace and time. I travel a lot for leisure and volunteer work.
The question remains: should retirees or older citizens stop working or be involved in community activities?
In this regard, one question pops up: are there policies to encourage them to continue to be active physically, mentally and socially post-retirement?
Some may feel that they have been left out in the cold, and this hurts after so many years of contributing in a personal and professional capacity.
Why waste the talent and experiences retirees have, which can be transferred to the young?
Education is a lifelong journey, and the younger generation can learn from the experiences of retirees, sharing knowledge and experiences in a formal manner.
I believe there are many more like me out there.
We are not too old to contribute to the people and the nation, but we need to be given opportunities via policies and loads of understanding.
To the young, do not feel we are a threat or taking away your livelihood. You may gain a lot more from learning from the older generation.
DR RAHIMAH ABDUL KADIR
Petaling Jaya, Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times