Latest news with #PSD
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Raising civil servants' retirement age affects long-term social, economic resilience
THE People's Progressive Party (PPP) Youth Wing registers its strong objection and deep concern regarding the recent announcement by the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, proposing an increase in the mandatory retirement age for civil servants from 60 to 65. While we recognise the government's intent to address demographic shifts and the challenges of an ageing population, we urge that equal — if not greater —consideration be given to the immediate and long-term consequences this proposal will have on the younger generation and the already saturated job market. It may inadvertently obstruct employment opportunities for Malaysian youth, particularly graduates and early-career professionals, who are already facing high levels of unemployment and underemployment. Prolonging tenure within the civil service risks creating a systemic bottleneck, impeding career progression and innovation within the public sector, while undermining national goals for inclusive growth and talent development. Furthermore, at a time when national focus should be on empowering the youth through job creation, entrepreneurship initiatives, and workforce readiness programmes, this move appears to sideline the very demographic poised to drive Malaysia's future. We therefore call on the Public Service Department (PSD) and the government to: 1. Immediately suspend further consideration of the proposed mandatory retirement age increase pending a transparent, youth-inclusive consultation process. 2. Undertake a comprehensive impact assessment, incorporating youth unemployment trends, underemployment data, and graduate employability metrics. 3. Explore alternative measures, such as optional post-retirement consultancy roles, flexible re-employment schemes, or phased retirement pathways, rather than extending full-time employment for all civil servants. We urge Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, PSD and all relevant authorities to uphold the values of social justice and youth empowerment as outlined in the 13th Malaysia Plan, and to ensure that the aspirations of young Malaysians are not diminished by this policy direction.
Jordan Times
3 days ago
- Jordan Times
PSD director orders honouring 42 inmates for passing Tawjihi
AMMAN — Public Security Directorate (PSD) Director Maj. Gen. Obeidallah Maaytah on Saturday ordered honouring 42 inmates from correctional and rehabilitation centres who passed the 2025 General Secondary Education Certificate Examination (Tawjihi). Maaytah expressed the PSD's commitment to implementing a 'comprehensive reform philosophy' within correctional facilities, tailored to inmates' needs and aimed at helping them continue their education and lead constructive lives while in custody, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. He noted that one inmate achieved a score of 85.7 per cent, calling this outcome a 'clear' indicator of the success of the correctional system's educational and rehabilitative programmes. These programmes, he added, are regularly reviewed, updated, and supplemented with new initiatives designed to ensure decent living conditions for inmates, support behavioural reform, and equip them with the skills needed to reintegrate into society as productive citizens after release. Maaytah also expressed his appreciation to all staff at the Correctional and Rehabilitation Centres Department for their efforts in implementing reform policies, particularly educational initiatives that have produced such achievements. He stressed the importance of developing new ways to help successful inmates pursue higher education and continue academic or vocational training, in cooperation with relevant institutions.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
NST Leader: AI age forces rethink on retirement
THE age of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) has reshaped the nature and security of jobs, skill demands and workplace dynamics. This has created new roles that demand complex, non-routine skills and high technical expertise, making a degree or deep expertise in AI and its applied sciences the most valuable qualification. American AI startups are being sold by their founders for astounding sums in the billions. As for retirees, how are they affected? We will find out soon. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar announced that the Public Service Department (PSD), under the 13th Malaysia Plan tabled last week, will study the feasibility of raising the compulsory retirement age to 65. This is in line with Malaysia's transition into an ageing nation, as many workers over 60 remain active and employable. Malaysia's retirement age of 60 aligns with many countries in Asia and the Middle East, but it is low compared to other parts of the world. For instance, the retirement age in Singapore is currently from 63 to 68. In France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Portugal and Spain, the retirement age has been raised from 62 to 66. Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands and Australia have set it even higher at 67, while Libya's is 70. For most governments, raising the retirement age is simple pragmatism: to reduce pension strain and prolong healthy working years, provided healthcare and work conditions for older workers improve. To ensure intergenerational fairness in career advancements, flexible retirement schemes and retraining opportunities must be offered. Without these safeguards, nations risk public opposition, health disparities and minimal fiscal gain. While all this works well on paper, these frameworks do not take into account the rapid advancements in AI. The effects of digital technology and AI on retirees are significant, influencing social inclusion, healthcare and financial decisions. While senior citizens use smartphones for community and health-related activities, their digital literacy is often limited. This lack of proficiency, plus the potential for excessive screen time, can pose risks to their physical and mental well-being. Retraining older workers to apply AI takes time, particularly since the younger generation already excels at these skills. The PSD will soon realise, if it hasn't already, that while AI streamlines routine tasks and cost controls, it could also eliminate many jobs, particularly those often held by senior citizens. The bottom line is, digital technology and AI are a double-edged sword for retirees. While they can improve social engagement, health management and financial planning, they also introduce job insecurity, even in government services aiming to cut pension costs.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Ion Iliescu's death exposes Romania's deep divisions over his legacy as former leader laid to rest
On the day of Ion Iliescu's funeral, the polarizing legacy of Romania's first elected president after the fall of communism was laid bare. While many dignitaries paid their respects, others highlighted the oppression and bloodshed they say defined his political career. A religious ceremony was held on Thursday in a church at the presidential Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest before Iliescu's casket was transferred to a cemetery for a funeral procession with military honors. He died on Tuesday, aged 95, after a lung cancer diagnosis in June following years of ill health. But as flags on official buildings flew at half-staff on Thursday, a national day of mourning, the former president's passing exposed stark divisions over his role in Romania's violent transition after 1989, from communist dictatorship to a free market economy and eventual membership of NATO and the European Union. Iliescu's passing triggers coalition spat Many former leaders and officials paid tribute to Iliescu, in contrast to the Save Romania Union party, a governing coalition partner that opposed the day of national mourning and said party representatives would not attend the funeral, triggering a rift in the recently sworn-in government. USR's decision drew the ire of coalition partners from the Social Democratic Party, or PSD, which Iliescu founded and has been the most dominant party since the revolution. 'These are just shameful attacks from people who will never live up to the legacy left by the founding leader of the PSD,' Marcel Ciolacu, a former PSD leader and prime minister, said in a post on Facebook, adding that it 'demonstrates only sick hatred and lack of decency.' A notable absence from the funeral was Romania's recently elected President Nicusor Dan, who founded the USR party in 2016, and sent a short statement after the former president's death, stating that 'history will judge Ion Iliescu.' Legal battles mounted in later years After largely retiring from public life in 2017, Iliescu's later years were plagued by major legal battles, including charges of crimes against humanity over his alleged role in the bloodshed of the revolution and the violent suppression of civilian protesters in the early 1990s. Iliescu, who served as a minister in the Communist government but was sidelined in 1971, held de facto military authority during the anti-communist revolt. He assumed power after Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife Elena were executed by firing squad on Dec. 25, 1989. More than 1,100 people died during the revolution, 862 of them after Iliescu had seized power. He denied any wrongdoing. In 2018, military prosecutors charged Iliescu with crimes against humanity for failing to prevent 'numerous situations' in which civilians were needlessly killed during the revolution. At the time of his death, he had never been convicted, and the case remained open. In January this year, Iliescu's legal woes mounted when prosecutors charged him with crimes against humanity in a second case. Prosecutors allege he implemented policies that led to a violent crackdown on civilian protesters in Bucharest in 1990, who were demanding the removal of former communists from power. Iliescu had called on coal miners from the Jiu Valley to 'restore order' in the capital. At least four people were killed. Some are mourning victims of transition years A demonstration organized in Bucharest later on Thursday by the civic activist group 'Corruption Kills," which opposed the national day of mourning, stated Iliescu's passing should serve as 'a moment of critical reflection and remembrance' of the victims of violent repression under his leadership. 'We will do some mourning … but we will do it for the victims, not for the oppressor, not for the killer,' Florin Badita-Nistor, the group's founder, told The Associated Press. Twice re-elected, in 1992 and 2000, Iliescu was a central figure in the country's transition years and its shift westward during his last tenure, which paved the way to membership of NATO and the EU. In recent years, Iliescu's health declined. In 2019, he underwent heart surgery and spent nearly two months in hospital before his death, during which he received the lung cancer diagnosis. —
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Ion Iliescu's death exposes Romania's deep divisions over his legacy as former leader laid to rest
BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — On the day of Ion Iliescu's funeral, the polarizing legacy of Romania's first elected president after the fall of communism was laid bare. While many dignitaries paid their respects, others highlighted the oppression and bloodshed they say defined his political career. A religious ceremony was held on Thursday in a church at the presidential Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest before Iliescu's casket was transferred to a cemetery for a funeral procession with military honors. He died on Tuesday, aged 95, after a lung cancer diagnosis in June following years of ill health. But as flags on official buildings flew at half-staff on Thursday, a national day of mourning, the former president's passing exposed stark divisions over his role in Romania's violent transition after 1989, from communist dictatorship to a free market economy and eventual membership of NATO and the European Union. Iliescu's passing triggers coalition spat Many former leaders and officials paid tribute to Iliescu, in contrast to the Save Romania Union party, a governing coalition partner that opposed the day of national mourning and said party representatives would not attend the funeral, triggering a rift in the recently sworn-in government. USR's decision drew the ire of coalition partners from the Social Democratic Party, or PSD, which Iliescu founded and has been the most dominant party since the revolution. 'These are just shameful attacks from people who will never live up to the legacy left by the founding leader of the PSD,' Marcel Ciolacu, a former PSD leader and prime minister, said in a post on Facebook, adding that it 'demonstrates only sick hatred and lack of decency.' A notable absence from the funeral was Romania's recently elected President Nicusor Dan, who founded the USR party in 2016, and sent a short statement after the former president's death, stating that 'history will judge Ion Iliescu.' Legal battles mounted in later years After largely retiring from public life in 2017, Iliescu's later years were plagued by major legal battles, including charges of crimes against humanity over his alleged role in the bloodshed of the revolution and the violent suppression of civilian protesters in the early 1990s. Iliescu, who served as a minister in the Communist government but was sidelined in 1971, held de facto military authority during the anti-communist revolt. He assumed power after Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife Elena were executed by firing squad on Dec. 25, 1989. More than 1,100 people died during the revolution, 862 of them after Iliescu had seized power. He denied any wrongdoing. In 2018, military prosecutors charged Iliescu with crimes against humanity for failing to prevent 'numerous situations' in which civilians were needlessly killed during the revolution. At the time of his death, he had never been convicted, and the case remained open. In January this year, Iliescu's legal woes mounted when prosecutors charged him with crimes against humanity in a second case. Prosecutors allege he implemented policies that led to a violent crackdown on civilian protesters in Bucharest in 1990, who were demanding the removal of former communists from power. Iliescu had called on coal miners from the Jiu Valley to 'restore order' in the capital. At least four people were killed. Some are mourning victims of transition years A demonstration organized in Bucharest later on Thursday by the civic activist group 'Corruption Kills,' which opposed the national day of mourning, stated Iliescu's passing should serve as 'a moment of critical reflection and remembrance' of the victims of violent repression under his leadership. 'We will do some mourning … but we will do it for the victims, not for the oppressor, not for the killer,' Florin Badita-Nistor, the group's founder, told The Associated Press. Twice re-elected, in 1992 and 2000, Iliescu was a central figure in the country's transition years and its shift westward during his last tenure, which paved the way to membership of NATO and the EU. In recent years, Iliescu's health declined. In 2019, he underwent heart surgery and spent nearly two months in hospital before his death, during which he received the lung cancer diagnosis. — Stephen McGrath reported from Leamington Spa, U.K.
