PETALING JAYA, July 31 — The suggestion to raise the retirement age of public servants from 60 to 62 was panned by former senior officers, who felt the move should not be a blanket policy.
Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) had recently proposed the government extend the retirement age of civil servants so that the country would not “lose out”.
Former Transport Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, 81, said the extension should not be implemented across the board.
“The budget and the economy cannot afford to keep people who are sleeping on the job,” he said.
He said the extension should only be offered to officers with special skills.
“When we find a good officer with specific skill sets and expertise, which may greatly contribute to the country, give him an extension. It is important to do it selectively,” he said.
On Cuepacs’ claim the extension would reduce government expenditure on pension, Navaratnam, who is now the Sunway Group corporate adviser, said Cuepacs must justify its claims with a proper study.
“Cuepacs should work out the calculations and present it to support its proposal. How much would the government save on pensions exactly? Would it be worth it to keep officers who sleep on the job?” he asked.
He also said retaining public servants for a longer period would mean lesser opportunities for unemployed graduates.
“The government should hire brilliant and young people whose talents and skills are yet to be groomed. Mould them and give them a fair chance of having bright futures,” he said.
“We do not want another problem, like graduate unemployment, to stem from this.”
Former Forest Research Institute Malaysia director-general Tan Sri Salleh Mohd Nor, 76, agreed the extension should not be a blanket policy and also felt there was no need to extend the retirement age of senior officers, even if the government needed their expertise.
“There are other ways to not let their wisdom and expertise go to waste. They can still quit from the service and act as advisers,” he said.
The Universiti Teknologi Malaysia pro-chancellor also said the younger generation was the future leaders of the nation, thus grooming should take place as soon as possible.
“In 20 to 30 years, the youths will become leaders. It is important to have a long-term plan involving them,” Salleh said.
“The ‘old-timers’ can still be there and guide them every step of the way.”
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission advisory board chairman Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim, 82, agreed and said opportunities should be given fairly to youths.
“There are pros and cons in extending the age limit. Implementing it across the board, however, will not be the right thing to do as it would affect the future employment of the younger generation,” he said.
The former special adviser to the United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan said such a move should only be made after considering the nation’s best interests.
“All decisions should be made for the nation’s progress and development. I am in favour of implementing the retirement age extension selectively, on a case-to-case basis,” he said.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Ali Hamsa had announced on Friday the government had no plans of extending the retirement age for civil servants.
However, he said he had taken note of Cuepacs’ suggestion.
