The proposal to extend the retirement age of civil servants from 60 to 62 only involves between 1,200 and 2,000 of 25,000 civil servants who retire each year.

Congress of Unions of Employees in Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) president Datuk AzihMudasaid it only came up to between five and eight per cent of future retirees, and not all of them.

"We do not want to lose civil servants such as professors, lecturers and specialists who have considerable experience, and are useful to the government and the country," he said duringCuepacs' Hari Raya eventhere, Thursday.

He said the proposal to extend the retirement age was not for all civil servants as opportunities to fill vacancies in the civil service should also be given to the younger generation.

Public Service director-general Tan Sri Mohamad Zabidi Zainal was also present at the event.

On Wednesday, during a live talk show 'Ruang Bicara' aired by Bernama News Channel, Azih suggested that a new policy be introduced by the government to extend the retirement age of civil servants to 62.