Kuala lumpur: The study on the proposal to raise the mandatory retirement age to 65 years for civil servants and the private sector will be conducted comprehensively and not in haste, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa. She emphasized that the study, which falls under the National Ageing Framework, would consider various aspects such as health, productivity, promotion opportunities for younger officers, and the country's financial capability in both the short and long term.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Public Service Department (PSD) is undertaking a meticulous review and is not rushing into any decisions. Discussions with the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (CUEPACS) are ongoing, with several factors being assessed. These include the potential for phased implementation, providing civil servants with the option of early retirement, and conducting health and psychometric assessments for those wishing to serve until the age of 65.
Dr Zaliha made these remarks while wrapping up the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) in the Dewan Rakyat. She clarified that until the study is completed, the mandatory retirement age remains at 60, as stipulated under the Pensions Act 1980 (Act 227) and the Statutory and Local Authorities Pensions Act 1980 (Act 239).
In terms of supporting the elderly, whose population is projected to reach 17.3 percent by 2040, Dr Zaliha noted that her ministry, through the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan (PSKL) 2040 and the Kuala Lumpur Local Plan (PTKL) 2040, has put forward various elderly-friendly housing concepts. These initiatives include retirement homes, medical-assisted housing, and retirement villages, with eight sites for Subsidised Public Rental Housing (PASS) already identified, including two in Bukit Bintang, aimed at assisting the underprivileged, including senior citizens.
Furthermore, she highlighted that Kuala Lumpur currently boasts 24.64 kilometers of covered pedestrian walkways connected to public transport. This network is set to be expanded as part of the PTKL 2040 goal to make Kuala Lumpur a city of efficient mobility and environmental sustainability.