KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Youth Council says it does not support the proposal to raise the retirement age to 65, arguing that such a policy is unsuitable for Malaysia.
Its president, Mohd Izzat Afifi Abdul Hamid, said the move would create socio-economic implications that could negatively affect employment prospects and youth development in the country.
He added that increasing the retirement age directly reduces the rate of worker replacement in the labour market, thereby shrinking job opportunities for young people.
“For example, the increase in the retirement age from 55 to 60 in 2013 was linked to the loss of nearly one million new job opportunities for graduates and young job seekers. In the current context, Malaysia produces more than 300,000 graduates annually, and many of them still struggle to secure permanent employment,” he said in a statement today.
He added that the proposal by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said was seen as lacking sensitivity to the reality of the generation gap in the labour market.
The group believes that workforce transition between generations needs to be managed in a balanced and inclusive manner.
“This is not a matter of choosing between the young or the old; rather, it is about ensuring fair policies that guarantee economic security for all parties, especially the younger generation who are building their lives and careers.
“Raising the retirement age is not just about the ability to work, but also about economic fairness and the right of young people to have equal opportunities,” he said.
Mohd Izzat said that the youth council also views the proposal as too general and inclined towards the experience of senior professionals.
This is because not all elderly people are physically capable of continuing to work effectively, he added.
“According to a World Health Organisation report (in 2021), one in three individuals aged over 60 faces physical limitations.
“Additionally, they are also at risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart problems, which are increasing,” he said.
Last Tuesday, Azalina said that the government should consider raising the retirement age in Malaysia from 60 to 65, as many people aged 60 and above are still active.
However, a Berita Harian online survey showed that more than 15,000 respondents rejected the proposal to raise the retirement age to 65 from the current 60.
Most suggested lowering it to 55 instead.
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