Raise judges retirement age to at least 75, says minister

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh Tseow Tsuan has called for the retirement age of judges to be raised at least upto 75 years old.

She said that the current retirement age of 65 is not fair to the bench since it takes judges a long time to be promoted to the Federal Court and judges do have very sharp minds and are very experienced.

“For a start, (and this is my personal opinion), certain professions should not be retiring at 60 or 65, she said on her Facebook page.

“Judges for example take a long time to be promoted to the Federal Court and when they get there, it is usually time for retirement which is such a waste of talent and resources.

“Their minds are still very sharp, very experienced and wise. I feel they should be serving on the Bench till at least 75.”

The proposal came about after Yeoh attended the Inns of Court dinner that celebrated the retirement of Federal Court judge Datuk Mary Lim.

At present Article 125(1) of the Federal Constitution stipulates that a Federal Court judge shall remain in office until the age of 66. They can obtain an extension of six months if the Yang di-Pertuan Agong approves.

Amending the above article would require a two third majority in the Dewan Rakyat.

The Malaysian Bar had call for the retirement age of judges to be raised last year.