Seputeh MP Teresa Kok has criticised the move to table a Bill in parliament to raise the retirement age for the public sector to 60 years, arguing that it will trim the number of available jobs for Malaysians.

"If current workers who reach 55 years of age do not retire, the number of job opportunities available for young Malaysians will be reduced, making it more difficult for them to find work, be promoted, and feed their families," she said in a statement.

This, she said, is because Malaysia has a young population of 50 percent, and is not an ageing society like Japan. She referred to the 2010 census, which shows that 50 percent of Malaysians are under 25.

selangor dap congress 2011 teresa kok Kok ( right ) said the proposed Bill, should it be passed, would have huge ramifications to the interests of workers, corporations and the Malaysian economy.

It may deprive young workers of jobs, infringe on independence of companies to formulate their own polices and may adversely affect economic growth, added Teresa.

"My position is that this Bill will cause more harm than good in these respects."

The Seputeh MP urged Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam not to rush this Bill through the Dewan Rakyat, but to organise more public dialogue so all stakeholders' interests, for both in the short and long term, are preserved.

Teresa was commenting on news reports that the ministry is looking to implement the measure and is in negotiations with major trade unions and the employers' federation before tabling the Bill.