In recent weeks, a proposal by Minister Azalina Othman Said to raise Malaysia’s retirement age from 60 to 65 has reignited national debate. While the Prime Minister himself has called for a careful study of the idea, the backlash online was swift—with many Malaysians, voicing fears about youth career progression, delayed rest, and government motives. But behind the outrage lies a real policy dilemma: Malaysia is ageing rapidly, set to become an aged nation in fifteen years. What would raising the retirement age actually mean for Malaysian society, and how should such a policy be designed for fairness, dignity, and choice? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Chai Sen Tyng, Senior Research Officer at UPM’s Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing (MyAgeing).
