Reactions to proposal to increase retirement age
KOTA KINABALU: The proposal to extend the retirement age of civil servants from 60 years to 62 years has received lukewarm response from civil servants, politicians and members of the public in Sabah.
Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid told The Borneo Post that only selected civil servants with expertise relevant to the nation’s development should be allowed to stay on if the government extends the retirement age to 62.
“It is hard to comment on this matter. We will leave the government to study on its relevancy.
“There are employees who are good and some are not good, so for me they should be selective in choosing based on skills,” said the minister who refused to comment further on the matter raised by the Congress of Unions in the Public and Civil Service (Cuepacs) recently.
However, Jainab said focus on increasing productivity, ethics, Key Performance I ndicators (KPI) of all employees, including subordinates and superiors, and change the laid-back culture that had been adapted by some.
“We are moving towards being a developed country by 2020. These are challenging times and Cuepacs should focus on improving the work quality of employees as we need them to be good in terms of work.
“It is time to show that we (civil servants) are as good as employees working in the private sector,” said Jainab at a press conference yesterday.
The minister also said the younger generations working with the government should not be involved in corruption.
“Why is there corruption? It is because of all the red tapes, so we should reduce them,” she said.
Cuepacs had recently asked the government to consider extending the retirement age for civil servants from 60 to 62.
Its president, Datuk Azih Muda, who stated this after officiating at the Cuepacs and Angkasa 2015 Flood Disaster Relief Mission i n Kemaman recently, said this should be considered by the government following the country’s economic uncertainty towards becoming a developed nation.
Silam Pemuda Umno vice chief Rahmat Datuk Yusof said he is not in favour of the proposal by the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Service (Cuepacs) as it would not be appropriate, in the long term.
Rahmat said it may be a good step for the government, but conversely, it would certainly hinder opportunities for young people to serve and rise in the government sector.
“As we all know, retirees receive a pension after retirement, and for me, the retirement age limit is more appropriate at the age of 55 years, so that opportunities can be given to the younger generation.
“The government could extend the services of higher grade civil servants, such as directors, as their duties are more on giving directives and providing experience, but for the lower grades, it is more suitable to be given to young people,” he said.
As an example, he said even at the age 50s, most individuals are aff licted with health problems, their work production would be less compared to the younger people.
Rahmat added that retiring at the age of 55 will give opportunity for the pensioners to enjoy life such as traveling, which could not be done before due to work commitments as civil servants.
Meanwhile, the special officer to the Lahad Datu assemblyman, Mohd Azman Asiman, said the proposal seemed inappropriate as it could result in unemployment and lack of opportunities for graduates, and impact on the socio-economy of the country besides disrupting productivity.
“I tend to disagree with this proposal because the government should provide opportunities for young people who will inherit the leadership of the country in the future,” he added.
A civil servant, Sudirman Latip Karim, said the proposal to extend the retirement age limit is inappropriate, especially for those civil servants who serve in the security forces and the enforcement division.
He said it is possible to extend their services, however, it could lead to a drop in quality of their services and for some civil servants it could be burdensome.
“I believe the government always thinks what is best for the people, including civil servants, and I am sure whatever decision the government makes is the best for all parties,” he said.
Another civil servant, Ladamah Sulaiman, said it is less favourable as it will disrupt productivity and curtail opportunities for the younger generation.
“It would be better to provide opportunities for the younger generation to serve as civil servants as they could produce fresh and brilliant ideas that could improve the service of the government,” he added.
A civil servant in Sandakan, Iswadiman Shamsuddin, said extending the retirement age to 62 was not relevant in Malaysia at the moment.
“Even though I work as a civil servant, I do not agree with the request made by Cuepacs.
“Working up to the age of 60 is quite long enough, let alone extend it to 62 years old.
“We have thousands of university graduates waiting for the opportunity to work for the government; their energy and ideas could bring positive enhancement towards productive work.
“If the retirement period is extended, how do we give these young, skillful, energetic and educated youth the opportunity to serve the country as civil servants?” he said, adding that extended retirement could increase the unemployment rate.
However, he did not deny that some job sectors may require an employee to serve until the age of 62 years.
Meanwhile, a university graduate, Patimang Abdul Ghani, 26, also agreed that if the retirement age be lengthen to 62 years old, it could result in a higher rate of unemployment.
“It could ‘close’ the opportunity for us as young graduates. Moreover, at such age, these civil servants should take a rest or go traveling with their loved ones.
“Not all 60-year-old workers have good health and this could lead to a decrease i n productivity,” she said.
Alfredo T Perez, a planter in Tawau, said the proposal to extend the retirement age would cause more fresh graduates to be unemployed and slower promotion for civil servants, unless new job opportunities are created.
Tutor Mary Blanc D’Cruz, however, welcomed the suggestion as many older people nowadays are very active and productive.
“They have much to offer. The increase in age does not mean they cannot work. They should be allowed to work as long as they can. Look at Tun Mahathir. But if the person cannot perform his duties, well he should leave,” she said.
Sylvester S Taing agreed with the proposal as those who are healthy, can still contribute.
“There are many officers whose have received extension of service by contracts. However, they should be given an option to retire or not,” he said.
Labuan Wildlife and National Parks Department director Jose Ampiu opined that the suggestion was not relevant as even the retirement at age 58 was already considered enough.
“Most of the civil servants set to retire at age 58 and me, myself at 56. I was offered to extend my service to 60 but I declined. Those extending to 60 are mostly those at top management level,” he said, adding that the extension idea of retirement to 62 was only a suggestion.
He opined that if someone’s service in the government was extended to 62, his or her motivation or commitement would go down and they should be given the chance to enjoy their retirement days.
“I personally do not agree with the suggestion,” he said, adding that those going through the retirement phase in their lives were mostly sick.
Labuan UPKO chief Ronald James Majaing said t hat if someone’s service was extended to 62, it would be too old for him or her where it would be better to give chances to the young graduates to join the workforce left by those who were going to retire.
“In western countries, they might retire at 65 and we do not oppose the suggestion. It is just a matter of job opportunity for the youngsters who are seeking employment.
“The seniors going to retire might be kept in the department, but not as someone who hold a position rather only as a coach or guide to impart their knowledge and work experience to their successors or youngsters,” he said.
Majaing f urther suggested that old folk homes should be set up in each district nationwide for the elders to rest as they probably could not find shelter during their retirement days.
“It is not necessarily only those elders without money that would be sent to the old folk homes, but also those with money. It is because they might be abandoned by their own kin or some of them do not have family members.
“Some of the elders want to be alone when they retire and they need a place to do so,” he said.
Meanwhile, the permanent chairman of PAS Labuan, Hj Mohd Ismail Abdul Rahman, concurred with Majaing that the young graduates should be given the chance to join the rest of the civil servants and the retirement age at 60 was already good enough.
“There are many young graduates struggling to seek jobs and why not give them attention instead of extending the retirement age of civil servants?
“If you are still employed in retirement age, you are no longer as active as when you are younger. It is an age factor,” he said.
Henry Chu, a pensioner from Keningau, thinks 60 years is enough and the civil service should focus on getting new and younger staff.
“I urge Cuepacs to reduce pressure to further increase the pension age to 62 years. The public service should focus on providing a succession plan for potential successors to continue giving services to the public,” said the former manager of Sabah Credit Corporation.
Henry pointed out that no one is indispensable. The pension age has been revised from 55 to 56, then 58 to 60.
Retired headmaster Yazid Mohd Hasnan Tawik said the proposal to extend the retirement age to 62 is not practical as it only benefits some people but not subordinate civil servants.
“This also closes the opportunity for other officers to be promoted to a higher office,” said the former excellent headmaster of SK Pasir Putih in Keningau.
According to him, the current retirement age of 60 years is good enough and even this little bit of opportunity has closed off to other officers from holding higher office.
Melalap community development leader Simon Mamat also disagreed with the proposal because it does not provide much benefit depending on the ability of the person other than closing off opportunities for young people who have the energy and new approaches in implementing government programs.
“I definitely do not agree to the extension of compulsory retirement age for civil servants from 60 to 62 years because those who are over the age of 60 know that most are no longer productive and less motivated,” said Liawan community development leader Sahanip Jamil.
He said the Cuepacs’ proposal would only aggravate the situation by closing off opportunities for young people to get jobs and many graduates are unemployed because of limited opportunities.
Sahanip said any professional with specialized skills who had exceeded the retirement age of 60 years can be considered for extension of service on the basis of ‘concession contracts’.
Tambunan District Education Officer Haji Kaipin Haji Rusmin said to become a developed country, the age factor is not a problem as what is important are the capabilities of the person.
“This of course can create options based on health factor,” he said.
A teacher of SMK Nabawan II, Junik Bajit, pointed out that retirement does not have to be extended to 62 years as at this age many have health problems.
“I think opportunity should be given to new graduates to work because the work of those aged 62 years old are not productive,” he said.
A staff member of the District Education Office, Rosdi Johnton, believes the extension of the mandatory retirement age of 60 years to 62 is not fair because it does not give chance to young people who have the potential to serve.
In addition, he said it would ensure the level of service is always excellent and at their best in a very young age.
“The age of 62 is a golden age that must be focused on health factors and non-factor services, whereas to serve well a person should be under 55 years of age, free from any disease.
“We have a young generation of experts in various fields to fill vacancies at various agencies and sectors,” he said.
Deputy Tenom Education Officer Matusin Balang agreed if the compulsory retirement age of 62 years is for professional management positions such as medical specialists and engineers.
Keningau Parliamentary Liaison Officer Augustine Nain believes that the proposal is not good as it could prevent the younger generation to serve the government, especially in terms of promotion.
Keningau MCA chairman Jack Chin believes the age of 60 years is sufficient and give the chance to young people who are more energetic and innovative to replace those who have retired at the age of 60.
Sook PBRS Youth chief Kahirin Bador also did not agree to extend the retirement age of 62 because it is not profitable to the government.
Instead, he said opportunity should be given to the younger generation for promotion.
He said most of the elderly aged 62 years old are not able to compete with the current challenges that require a workforce that is skilled, fast and informative.
“Our country is heading towards Vision 2020 and there is a need for a quality workforce to achieve the developed nation so that it is able to compete internationally,” he said.
SMK Keningau II Parents and Teachers (PTA) chairman Harry Gitik said there was no need for the extension because it will close the opportunity for young people to work. If the retirement age is extended, the person may be tired to perform the duties.
Kampung Ambual Village Development and Security Committee chairman Garius Pukin also did not agree because it will increase unemployment.
He said at the age of 60, the civil servants have less energy to face the challenges in the information technology and globalization world.
Native chief Asnah Atu, however, agreed with the proposal as long as the person is energetic and healthy and not suffering from any disease, such as high blood pressure, heart, diabetes and so on.