This was in response to the Human Resources Ministry tabling of the Minimum Retirement Age Bill 2012 at Parliament on last Wednesday, which would increase the retirement age of private sector employees from the current 55 to 60.
Its Women Chief Melanie Chia claimed that many concerned members of the public had conveyed their concerns that such a move could be a pretext for the Government to amend the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Act later, to allow its contributors to withdraw their savings at the age of 60, instead of 55.
"Although the Government say you can work until 60, but not necessary that everybody can work until 60. Some people might work until 55 or less, depending on their health condition, and they might want to withdraw their EPF money.
"Hence, the people should be given the option whether they want to withdraw their money when they reach the age of 55. If the interest is good and it is safe, they can always leave their money in EPF, otherwise, they should have the option to withdraw their money when they reach 55," said Melanie who is also the Luyang State Assemblywoman.
The said Bill was read for the first time by Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam.
However, Section 18 of the Act gives full power to the minister to decide whether to exempt any employers or class of employers from all or any provisions of the Act.
The new Bill also excludes workers who take up optional retirement and termination of service contract other than the age factor.
The minister would also be empowered to increase retirement age for private sector employees by mere notification via gazette, under Section 4 (2) of the Act.
However, the bill excludes, among others, those who are working on probationary term, domestic servants, non-citizen employees and those employed on fixed contract term which does not extend to more than 24 months.
Any employers found guilty to have forced their employees to retire below the age of 60 under the new Bill would be fined for up to RM10,000 if convicted.
Meanwhile, Chester Pang, the Coordinator for SAPP Kota Kinabalu youth who was also the Organising Chairman for the peaceful protest, noted that the public feedback gathered by the youth wing on the ground indicated that, while the public welcomed the extension of the retirement age from 55 to 60, they were nonetheless concerned with rife talks that such a move could be a pretext by the Government to later amend the EPF Act, to extend its withdrawal age to 60 instead of 55.
"There is a rife talk that the Government might want to use another RM1 billion of the EPF money to invest in the Malaysian Airlines bonds, which are quite a high risk," he said.
About 30 SAPP youth members participated in the peaceful demo. Also in attendance were SAPP deputy president Datuk Liew Teck Chan, SAPP KK youth chief John Stephen, its Luyang youth chief Yong Yit Yoong, Likas youth chief Woo Chun Voon, Inanam youth chief Joseph Thadius, and Tanjung Aru youth chief Alan Lum.
ISN'T IT BETTER TO HAVE BOTH SABAH & SARAWAK ON THE SAME PETITION LIKE SSKM- SABAH SARAWAK KELUAR MALAYSIA?
ReplyDeleteSabah keluar Malaysia akan jatuh dalam tangan kerajaan Filipin. Senang saja kerajaan Filipin hendak menjajah Sabah sebab ramai orang mereka di sini, mereka cuma perlu mengundi kerajaan mereka semua dan Sabah akan jatuh ke tangan mereka. Masa itu, rakyat Sabah betul-betul menjadi Pendatang Asing di tanah sendiri.
DeleteFilipin masih belum melepas tangan terhadap Sabah, jika masih ada peluang, mereka pasti akan merampas Sabah semula. Rasanya mereka amat gembira menunggu hari Sabah keluar dari Malaysia.
DeleteKeluar Malaysia nanti masuk mulut naga pula. apa bagus??
DeleteWhy is it better?
DeleteSiapa yang ada perangkaan penduduk Sabah? Tolong kemukakan supaya kita boleh buat analisa peluang, ada peluang, bagaimana mengwujudkan peluang sebagai Sabah sebuah negara. Betul tu. Tak nak pula masuk mulut naga atau dibaham oleh negara jiran. Sementara kita sendiri tidak tahu menahu memang banyak andaian boleh dibuat
DeleteAre we still promoting the "foreign invasion scare" used by Britain and Malaya to scare us into accepting "Malaysia".
DeleteSo what you guys are thinking is that Malay can protect us from the Philippines or Indonesia? Yes we pay gangster protection money because they have robbed and taxed us of trillions of dollars over 48 years.
Anyway some people always use this invasion scare but never ask why tiny Brunei and Singapore never get invaded?
Philippine politicians have been making empty noises ever so often when they have nothing better to do.
We should concentrate on spreading and winning our independence first!
It is the free will of the Sabah people to decide breakup with Malaya and choose Sabah independence.
Those who oppose Sabah independence will always try to scare us to "stay" in Malaysia!
Mampukah Sabah & Sarawak berdiri sendiri???
Deletekalau filipina nak ambil kembali Sabah pun, bukan seluruh Sabah jg dia punya. mengikut sejarah sebahagian sabah dimilik kesultanan Brunei. bgs lagi ikut Brunei dari ikut filipina... huhuhu..
DeleteDon't worry. Philippines cannot and will not touch Sabah! I will make sure of that
DeleteRakyat perlu diberikan peluang memilih sama ada hendak mengeluarkan simpanan EPF mereka bila dah cukup umur 55 tahun.
ReplyDeleteits better to be able to withdraw the money at around 50 - 55years old, the best ages to relax or invest in stock markets.
DeleteBagus jugalah kalau rakyat dibagi pilihan. Tapi saya yakin kerajaan pasti akan berusaha lakukan yang terbaik utk rakyat.
Deletebiarlah pencarum membuat pilihan bila nak keluarkan wang simpanan mereka.
DeleteMemang bagus jika di beri pilihan. Rakyat boleh memilih sama ada mengeluarkan simpanan mereka pada umur 55 atau 60.
DeleteIt can be work a bit flexible when reach to age of 55.
DeleteThe people has their own right for their own money.
DeleteIt is better if the EPF holders are given options.
ReplyDeleteSokong..lebih baik bagi pilihan saja.
DeleteThey must put the people first, hope there will be a confirmation soon.
Deletei agree. All EPF holders should be given a choice. Some may want to withdraw their savings at the age of 55 and some at the age of 60.
DeletePasti kerajaan akan mencari jalan penyelesaian yang terbaik untuk rakyat.
DeleteBtw, what is the relevant the imminent move by EPF to extend the status of EPF's Retirement Age policy from 55 to 60 years?
ReplyDeleteI think whatever methods EPF use must relevant to M'sia currently situation.
DeleteHal EPF tu perlu dijelaskan supaya rakyat tidak risau.
ReplyDeleteHarap kerajaan akan menghentikan pembuatan pengbangkang yang sial ni.
DeleteHarap SAPP berenti jadi batu api.Suka buat isu.
Deletetidak perlu terburu-buru buat keputusan..banyak yang perlu dipertimbangkan.
DeleteI know the opposition wish to ave the best for the people but they have to respect the Govt.'s act also.
ReplyDeleteNamanya juga pembangkang.. Bagus atau tak, kerja dorang pasti memabngkan ja:P
DeleteWhat are you talking about. The government never respect the wishes of the people!
DeleteWhat does the majority people think about this?Would they rather have their their savings withdrawn at the age of 60, instead of 55?
ReplyDeletemungkin perlu ada kajiselidik untuk mendapat maklumbalas dari golongan pekerja..
Deletethere are things needed to be considered before sabah could go for independence. First and foremost, is sabah ready to stand on it own feet?
ReplyDeleteSaya belum pun sampai 55, tapi saya mahu keluarkan duit EPF da. Maslahnya tak layak, hhmmm tak dapat melancong:P
ReplyDeletePembangkang ada pandangan mereka sendiri dalam perkara ini, begitu juga kerajaan. Namun satu perkara yang kita harus tahu ialah, takanlah kerajaan nak hancurkan rakyatnya kan.
ReplyDeleteBetul tu, mana ada kerajaan yang mau menyusahkan rakyat mereka. Ini hanya isu biasa sahaja.
DeleteIt is important to consider the people first.
ReplyDeleteWell they seem considerate here but there is nothing you can do as opposing the government’s decision.
ReplyDeleteWhy? Why can't we oppose the government's decision. Didn't Najib claim BN to be the best democracy in the world.
DeleteNevertheless the government will have to make the final decision.
ReplyDeleteI think the people has a say too whether they want their savings withdrawn earlier or not.
ReplyDeleteWhat does the public have to say?
ReplyDeleteBiasa lah ada yang puas hati ada yang tidak berpuas hati.Memang begini la kalau mau dekat PRU. Ada sahaja isu yang bukan2.
DeleteI will have my say through the ballot box... thats what everyone should do..
DeleteAbsolutely !
ReplyDelete1Malaysia, people first...my foot!
ReplyDeletei agree.. when it comes to traffic jams,.. their escort (Police) will tell you to go to the side or even up the pavement just to give way for these people.. and they do scream at you.. What the hell, we, the people who put you bastards up there...
DeleteAnd now, you want to play with our retirements??? Out you all go..
Their intention is evil. Thats my money and if i want to take it at 55, no one should stop me... The interpretation i get from this idea is that they dont have any money to pay out what is rightfully belongs to the contributors.
ReplyDeleteWe are obligated to make the deduction on a monthly basis, can only see it when we're 55 with dividends. I have a choice, i will put it in fixed D. I don't have to put all my eggs in one basket.
They are holding our money for ransom and will only give it back when they want to give it back... And now to 60 years? Whats next.. 65 ?
I second your interpretation. Visions of a happy retirement is pretty much down the drain. In another words, your screwed. To play around with people's pension......do I need to say anymore!
ReplyDeleteThey are keeping some dead logs in the office and keeping their pension at the same time. Some people can not get out while some people can not get up.
ReplyDeleteThose who can think would know how to vote. No need to argue too much.
Kita harap ada dua pilihanlah nanti untuk pengeluaran EPF.
ReplyDeletepilihan harus diberikan kepada pencarum...lagipun mereka adalah satu2 nya pihak yang berhak kepada wang EPF mereka..
ReplyDeletepastikan keputusan yang dibuat menguntungkan semua pencarum.
DeleteIf withdrawal only at 60, there will be no payout for the next 5 years from EPF.. EPF have no more funds, so , delay la.
ReplyDeletePeople who turn 60 next year had withdrawn their money 5 years ago. So, no payout next year. And anyone who turns 60 the following year had withdrawn theirs 4 years ago and so on... Again no payout...
Anyway, it was announced no changes. Hopefully it stays..
Umur rakyat semakin panjang, jik aduit tersebut dikeluarkan teramat awal, sukar untuk duit tersebut menjamin kehidupan semasa dalam umur tua.
ReplyDeleteListen to the people wish. The have the right to voice their concern too.
ReplyDeleteThe people about their own money.
ReplyDeleteBerperingkat adalah cara yang lebih baik.
ReplyDeleteSurvey the people voice.
ReplyDeleteIsu caruman ini harus mengutamakan rakyat. Yang penting masa depan terjamin.
ReplyDeleteRakyat perlulah didahulukan, semoga keputusan yang terbaik akan diambil mengenai isu ini.
Deletesebelum sesuatu keputusan di buat, kajian yang teliti perlu dibuat dulu.
ReplyDeletebiarlah dikaji dan lakukan perbincangan..itu lebih baik.
ReplyDeleteDiharapkan kerajaan akan membuat pertimbangan yang sewajar mengenai isu EPF ini.
ReplyDeleteAda pilihan pasti lebih baik.
ReplyDeleteJika terlalu tua pasti kerja akan lebih sukar bagi mreka, tambahan lagi masalah kesihatan yang dialami.
ReplyDeleteini saja la isu2 yang mahu dimainkan oleh SAPP.. saya pun mahu tempoh pajakan tanah dikekalkan kepada 99 tahun, bukannya 999 tahun.. nanti kroni2 SAPP pula yang untung banyak..
ReplyDeleteEPF adalah duit pekerja. Kami berhak atas simpanan samada mengeluarkan atau sebaliknya. Pada mereka yang duit berlebih2, tidak ada masalah. Tapi bagi kami yang gaji cukup2 makan, itulah simpanan kami dan kegunaan kami selepas 55 tahun. Masa itulah baru boleh kami gunakan...Pada mereka yang berwang, yang kaya raya, cuba jangan fikirkan diri sendiri. Fikirkan kami....yang tak pernah lupa mengundi untuk kerajaan yang mana boleh mempertahankan hak kami...
ReplyDeleteba bagus buat pilihan la.. mana yang mau kasi keluar pada umur 55 tahun dan mana yang mau tunggu 60 tahun.. biarlah pencarum yang pilih..
ReplyDelete