Kuala Lumpur: MIC Vice President Datuk T.Murugiah today (Wednesday May 28) urged the authorities to exercise careful consideration on the proposal to extend the retirement age of civil servants.
“I wish to express my concern over the proposal to extend the retirement age of civil servants. While we deeply appreciate the experience and invaluable contributions of our long-serving public sector workers, we must also consider the long-term consequences on employment opportunities for younger generations and the overall impact on the nation’s economy” he said in a press statement released today.
“Extending the retirement age may result in fewer job vacancies in the civil service, reducing the chances for thousands of fresh graduates to secure employment. This could lead to a rise in youth unemployment and stifle the injection of new ideas and energy into public service. Young talents today are agile, tech-savvy, and ready to contribute to the evolving needs of government administration” Murugiah noted.
From an economic standpoint, prolonging service means higher financial obligations for the government in terms of salaries and pensions, which can put a strain on the national budget, he pointed out. “This could also divert resources away from more pressing development and welfare programs. At the same time, it is only fair to allow those who have served the country for decades to enjoy their retirement. They deserve to rest, travel abroad, perform religious duties, and most importantly, spend quality time with their loved ones — moments they may have missed during years of public service” he said.
“I strongly believe that such a policy must strike a balance between respecting the contributions of veteran civil servants and providing opportunities for younger generations to build their careers and drive national progress. Therefore, I urge the government to reassess this proposal holistically, taking into account the economic, social, and generational impacts on our country’s future” Murugiah further noted in his press statement.
