Extending retirement age deprives young people of promotion

Several Members of Parliament viewed the proposal to extend the retirement age of civil servants from 60 to 62 as irrelevant because it delays the promotion prospects of other staff.

Datuk Shamsul Anuar Nasarah (BN-Lenggong) said it deprived the younger group, who had the ability, of opportunities.

"I do not accept the proposal. If the Public Service Department wants to conduct a study, it is not a problem but if it is implemented, it will deprive others, especially the young people of opportunities," he said when debating the motion of thanks on the royal address at the Dewan Rakyat sitting today.

Prior to this, the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) had submitted a proposal to the government to consider raising the retirement age of government employees from 60 to 62 given that Malaysia was gearing towards becoming a developed country.

A similar view was echoed by Anuar Abd Manap (BN-Sekijang) who suggested that Cuepacs fought for other issues and not denied opportunities for the young people to be promoted.

Among these issues were opportunities for house ownership, debt problems and bankrupcy, he said.

"These are more important for Cuepacs to fight for because the young people have new ideas and they must shape the country's future together with its leadership. I do not agree with the proposal," he said.

The sitting continues tomorrow.