Kota bharu: The proposal to raise the retirement age for civil servants to 65 is under stakeholder consultation, said Public Service Department (JPA) director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz. Outlined in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), the proposal calls for a study on the feasibility of extending the retirement age.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the JPA has already engaged in consultations with various stakeholders, including the Congress of Union of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (CUEPACS) and retirees' associations, to gather initial feedback. Wan Ahmad Dahlan emphasized the need for a careful study to ensure that the decision to raise the retirement age benefits all parties involved.
Wan Ahmad Dahlan noted that CUEPACS has expressed both support and opposition to the proposal. "At this stage, diverse perspectives are being considered so the final decision has positive implications for civil servants and the nation. The consultation and study process is ongoing, and a decision will be made only after the review is complete," he added.
Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during the 13MP presentation in the Dewan Rakyat on July 31, stated that the mandatory retirement age would be reviewed in light of Malaysia's ageing population. The review intends to consider financial implications and employment opportunities before any decision is finalized.
In May, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said proposed raising the retirement age from 60 to 65, noting that individuals at this age remain healthy and capable of contributing productively. The current mandatory retirement age for civil servants is 60, aligning with the minimum retirement age in the private sector under the Minimum Retirement Age Act 2012.
During his visit, Wan Ahmad Dahlan also met with retirees, including Che Hasdi Musa, 69, who has been bedridden since March due to health issues. Che Hasdi expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by JPA and thanked Wan Ahmad Dahlan for his visit, noting that it brought renewed spirit to him and his family.