KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — The proposal to raise the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65 is one of the issues that needs attention and consideration, but must first be studied comprehensively, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said that before any decision is taken, the proposal should be discussed at the ministerial level first and then presented to the Cabinet Ministers.
“We have not brought it up to the Cabinet. Let them study its implications, such as finance, new job opportunities and so on.
“Let them review it because this is a proposal that ought to be given attention and considered,” he told the press after officiating the launch of the ‘Hadiah Bahasa Public Bank-Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP)’ ceremony today.
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh, DBP Board of Governors chairman Datuk Anwar Ridhwan, and Public Bank Berhad deputy chief executive officer Datuk Sulaiman Abdul Manap were also present at the launch.
Previously, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said proposed that the government consider raising the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65.
Making the suggestion in a personal capacity, she said it would be a loss when individuals are made to retire at 60 when they are still energetic, productive and capable of contributing to the workforce.
The mandatory retirement age for government employees in Malaysia is currently set at 60. This is also the minimum retirement age for private sector employees under the Minimum Retirement Age Act 2012.
— Bernama
