Malaysia Mulls Raising Retirement Age to 65: A Necessary Change?

Malaysia Considers Raising Retirement Age to 65 Kuala Lumpur, May 22, 2025 – A significant proposal is under consideration in Malaysia to increase the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65. Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), has suggested this change. Azalina voiced her personal opinion, stating, "It is a loss when individuals are forced to retire at 60 when they are still energetic and productive." Her comments were made following the 2024 Exemplary Service Award ceremony. The proposal is supported by examples of other ASEAN countries that allow for longer tenures in certain professions. The report notes that judges in some ASEAN nations can remain in their positions until the age of 70. The current mandatory retirement age of 60 in Malaysia applies to civil servants and is also the minimum retirement age for private sector workers under the Minimum Retirement Age Act 2012. The debate over extending working years is likely to spark discussions on workforce dynamics and the needs of an aging population.