Latest news with #SathiskumarK.Muthusamy
New Straits Times
04-08-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Retirement age extension may be boon to civil servants
KUALA LUMPUR: Extending the mandatory retirement age will enable civil servants to increase their savings, pay off debts and cover their living expenses. Putrajaya Indian Civil Servants Association president Dr Sathiskumar K. Muthusamy said many civil servants made big financial commitments, such as house purchases and personal loans, only during their mid-career. "As a result, they are unable to pay off these debts by the time they retire, while their pensions are not sufficient to cover these commitments and other costs, such as their children's education and living expenses. "So, extending it (retirement age) will provide financial relief to civil servants." Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan at Dewan Rakyat on Thursday, announced that the mandatory retirement age limit would be reviewed. Currently, the mandatory retirement for civil servants is 60 years old. This is also the minimum retirement age for private sector workers under the Minimum Retirement Age Act 2012. Dr Sathiskumar suggested that any policy should be flexible as not all sectors were suitable for retirement age of 65 years old. "Critical sectors such as medicine and education can be considered. For example, a medical consultant with extensive experience can still treat patients. "However, the performance and health of civil servants need to be monitored to ensure that the quality of service is maintained and productivity is not affected," he added. National Union of Teaching Professions (NUTP) president Aminuddin Awang said Malaysia's retirement age was lower than in Singapore and the Philippines. He said in the short term, the policy might affect promotion opportunities and staff recruitment but the effect would not be significant in the long term. "We must give those who are interested and have extensive experience the opportunity to continue serving for as long as they are able."
The Sun
03-08-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Extended retirement age boosts savings and eases living costs for civil servants
KUALA LUMPUR: The extension of the mandatory retirement age for civil servants could significantly improve their financial stability by allowing more time to pay off debts and increase savings. This move aligns with global trends, where many countries have already adjusted retirement ages to address economic and demographic challenges. Dr Sathiskumar K. Muthusamy, president of the Putrajaya Indian Civil Servants Association (IMAIYAM), highlighted that many civil servants take on major financial commitments, such as home loans, during mid-career. 'Most struggle to clear these debts by retirement, and their pensions often fall short of covering living expenses and education costs for their children,' he said. Extending the retirement age would provide relief by giving them more earning years. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the review of the retirement age during the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), acknowledging Malaysia's shift toward an aging population. Currently, civil servants retire at 60, the same minimum age set for private sector workers under the Minimum Retirement Age Act 2012. Dr Sathiskumar proposed a flexible implementation, noting that not all sectors may suit a retirement age of 65. 'Critical fields like medicine and education benefit from experienced professionals, but health and performance monitoring must ensure service quality remains high,' he added. Aminuddin Awang, president of the National Union of Teaching Professions (NUTP), pointed out that Malaysia's retirement age is lower than in countries like Singapore and the Philippines. 'This policy should be voluntary, not forced. While it may temporarily affect promotions and hiring, experienced staff should have the option to continue serving if capable,' he said. NUTP plans to recommend a health and performance evaluation system to ensure only fit employees extend their service. – Bernama
Barnama
27-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Kota MADANI Development Gives Civil Servants Greater Housing Access
By Thivyamalini Ramalu PUTRAJAYA, June 27 (Bernama) -- The Kota MADANI initiative in Precinct 19, the development of a smart city that is friendly to the people and the environment, has been welcomed by various levels of society, especially those serving in the federal government's administrative centre. What's more, the initiative has also been appreciated by civil servants from the Indian community who moved from rural areas to Putrajaya and experienced difficulty in obtaining rented housing in a short period of time. Putrajaya Indian Civil Servants Association (IMAIYAM) chairman Dr Sathiskumar K. Muthusamy said most Indian civil servants have stated that they often face problems obtaining housing, at exorbitant costs for house or room rental. "As they are not able to find quarters, they are forced to rent outside at expensive rates. Some also complain that they are often victims of social problems when trying to obtain rented accommodation. "(So) This government move is very timely and we (IMAIYAM) really appreciate it. It is not just providing a place to live but also giving hope to many civil servants to live comfortably and peacefully under one roof in Kota MADANI," he told Bernama when contacted today. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday (June 26) officiated the Kota MADANI development project worth RM4 billion in Precinct 19, which will be developed by Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd (PjH) through a public-private partnership model based on the concept of build, lease, maintain and transfer (BLMT), without involving government allocations at the initial stage. Kota MADANI will have 10,000 units of high-intensity residential quarters capable of accommodating more than 30,000 residents, vertical schools and various public facilities. Assistant Director of the Research and Program Planning Division of the Community Communication Department K. Yuvarany said the development of the quarters was highly anticipated as she is also facing expensive rent even for one room in Cyberjaya.
The Sun
27-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Kota MADANI development gives civil servants greater housing access
PUTRAJAYA: The Kota MADANI initiative in Precinct 19, the development of a smart city that is friendly to the people and the environment, has been welcomed by various levels of society, especially those serving in the federal government's administrative centre. What's more, the initiative has also been appreciated by civil servants from the Indian community who moved from rural areas to Putrajaya and experienced difficulty in obtaining rented housing in a short period of time. Putrajaya Indian Civil Servants Association (IMAIYAM) chairman Dr Sathiskumar K. Muthusamy said most Indian civil servants have stated that they often face problems obtaining housing, at exorbitant costs for house or room rental. 'As they are not able to find quarters, they are forced to rent outside at expensive rates. Some also complain that they are often victims of social problems when trying to obtain rented accommodation. '(So) This government move is very timely and we (IMAIYAM) really appreciate it. It is not just providing a place to live but also giving hope to many civil servants to live comfortably and peacefully under one roof in Kota MADANI,' he told Bernama when contacted today. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday (June 26) officiated the Kota MADANI development project worth RM4 billion in Precinct 19, which will be developed by Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd (PjH) through a public-private partnership model based on the concept of build, lease, maintain and transfer (BLMT), without involving government allocations at the initial stage. Kota MADANI will have 10,000 units of high-intensity residential quarters capable of accommodating more than 30,000 residents, vertical schools and various public facilities. Assistant Director of the Research and Program Planning Division of the Community Communication Department K. Yuvarany said the development of the quarters was highly anticipated as she is also facing expensive rent even for one room in Cyberjaya. 'My room rent is RM550, and the parking rental rate is RM70 per month. The cost of transportation to and from Putrajaya and sometimes there are outside assignments, and the cost of food could reach more than RM1,400 including other expenses,' she said. Yuvarany who applied for government quarters in Putrajaya in November 2024 is now placed on the waiting list and hopes that her application will be accepted as soon as possible. 'However, I admit the waiting list is quite long. When I applied, the waiting list was over 4,000 but so far the number of applicants who have passed the waiting list has only reached over 3,000 this year. If this running number is quite slow, I think it will be inconvenient for individuals who really need quarters or those who are facing financial problems. 'Maybe the process needs to be expedited by contacting the applicants themselves and questioning them on their quarters needs so that they don't have to wait long,' she said. Meanwhile, Muhammad Aliff Asyraf Ab Aziz, who is working at the Ministry of Communications, said the construction of the new quarters is seen as an added value for officers in Putrajaya. 'I once applied for quarters in Kuala Lumpur when I was working there before but failed. Now I have my own residence but not everyone is lucky enough to have their own home, especially since the cost of living is increasing,' he said. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa yesterday reported that the Kota MADANI development project is expected to provide cost of living savings of up to RM1,000 per month for civil servants. She said that through the project, civil servants can live in the quarters provided at a minimum cost, with a deduction of housing allowance and cost of living allowance (COLA) which is only around RM400 per month. The actual need for quarters in Putrajaya is 35,000 units but only 22,000 units have been available for over 20 years and that number has not increased. There are now 17,000 applications on the waiting list.
