‘Let civil servants retire at 62’
If the system is viewed thoroughly, the government will lose out as it needs to spend more to acquire service and expertise of certain retirees. Therefore, the best measure is to extend the retirement age of civil servants to 62 as it is more rational and can save government spending.
SIBU: Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Service (Cuepacs) Sarawak support the call to extend civil servants’ retirement age as it is more cost effective than the present contract system of hiring pensioners.
“If the system is viewed thoroughly, the government will lose out as it needs to spend more to acquire service and expertise of certain retirees. Therefore, the best measure is to extend the retirement age of civil servants to 62 as it is more rational and can save government spending,” state Cuepacs ( CNS) president Ahmad Malie told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Ahmad added: “Furthermore, the majority of the neighbouring countries in ASEAN also offer the retirement age until 65 years. This is why national Cuepacs president Datuk Azih Muda’s call is significant and relevant if the country desires to become a developed nation.”
He was commenting
Ahmad Malie, state Cuepacs (CNS) president
on Azih’s statement that the basic retirement age from 60 years must be extended to 62 years in preparation for the country to become a developed nation which is competitive globally and on par with other developed countries. Azih was quoted to have said when heading towards a developed country, there was a need for a policy that was acceptable worldwide.
On this, Ahmad said CNS is fully supportive of Azih’s call for the government to seriously consider extending the retirement age for civil servants. He reasoned that they supported the call as there is justification and significance in extending the civil servants’ retirement age.
Giving an example, he said there are still those pensioners who are still capable and active in carrying out their duties.
In this regard, CNS also urged the government to consider Cuepacs’ call seriously and thoroughly, said Ahmad. Conversely, he pointed out if the government has no intention to extend the retirement age then CNS suggested for the extension of retirement age to be made optional.
He elaborated that this would come with conditions that need to be fulfilled if a civil servant wished to extend his retirement age. Towards this end, he said the extension of retirement age is not something that is automatic or mandatory to follow but still subjected to conditions which had been laid down.
“Besides, this will be a choice for civil servants who intend to contribute their expertise. If the initiative can be implemented, then the government can safeguard the f low of expertise which is necessary for the country to move towards becoming a developed nation,” Ahmad said.