Muhyiddin Yassin wants all education ministry retirees to offer their expertise and experience through appropriate channels, such as local non-governmental organisations (NGO) to assist the government develop the country.

The deputy prime minister said education was highly regarded by the community and therefore, the views and calls from education groups, especially retirees who had served for a long time, were welcome.

"What is there between us, there are some who are still fresh, at the age of 60, you are still young, I'm 67 and I'm still fit.       

    

"As such, our experience is very valuable in the context of perspective, advice and guidance, and only those who have served long enough can acquire such values," he said in his speech at the Education Ministry Appreciation ceremony today.

Muhyiddin, who is also education minister, also urged all education ministry retirees to volunteer to serve various related committees and advisory councils of the ministry.

"If they are interested...we hope they would contact us to become volunteers and we would appreciate their gesture," he said.

He also said that retiring from public service did not mean all had ended but it was an opportunity and the beginning of a new phase in life.

    

The deputy prime minister said in the course of their services, various efforts to raise quality and productivity had been implemented, including initiatives under the National Key Result Areas.

"The government has also succeeded in improving the career path of ministry officers comprehensively from appointment grade to the highest grade in a suitable period of time," he added.

He said their contributions all this while would certainly assist the ministry to meet the objectives of developing potential and high performing leaders of the new generation by 2020.

- Bernama