This ST Forum writer wanted WKS RL and the others to stay!!!

[steffychun]

Beware of snuffing out the capable too early

THE recent calls for renewal in the PAP and the phasing out of older political office-holders to make way for young blood is nothing short of disconcerting to those who are not so young.

I am in my 40s and while I understand the need for rejuvenation within party ranks and other institutions, I cannot help but feel it is unduly premature to snuff out those who are still capable of making significant contributions to society.

Injecting new blood in order to ensure that leaders can better connect and engage with the younger generation may not necessarily be wise, given the fact that these younger leaders have not earned their spurs and may not command the same respect and gravitas as elder statesmen who have proven their mettle.

Increasingly, I have the feeling that age is viewed more as a liability than an asset. Workers seem to be stamped with a use-by date and are considered expendable once they reach their 50s, even though the retirement age is continually being extended. My concern is that companies and organisations often take the cue from the Government, and may arbitrarily institute a renewal process and sideline mature workers who may not all be dead wood.

In politics, the Government has also pledged to listen more to younger voters just because they have become a demographic force to be reckoned with. What about the opinions and concerns of older voters? Don't we matter any more?

Just because we may not be as active on social media websites does not mean we are less vocal or censorious of government policies. After all, we too pay taxes and have a stake in the kind of country we want.

This constant harping on youth ad nauseam and the concomitant marginalisation of the elderly smacks of the mindset of Singapore Inc - invariably viewing everything in cold, clinical, economic terms.

I find it downright dispiriting to have to worry that Singapore may cease to be a welcoming home once one reaches the end of one's productive shelf-life. Is there any assurance whatsoever that this country will continue to look after those who played a part in nation-building in their prime? I hope my fears can be allayed.

Marietta Koh (Mrs)

 

[kingrant]

I dont think she was trying to say WKS RL etc should stay. These people are out because they were incompetent, not nec because they were old.

This lady has some genuine concerns. Employers and businesses have been harping on taking on younger workers and dumping older workers. No less a culprit has been the govt whose incessant talk of renewal and rejuvenation has influenced businesses and private employers that they have been following suit, retrenching old ones and taking on young FTs especially.

Imagine our children and future gens whose productive age gets pushed lower and lower. The govt says one thing but does another. It says one shld not retire at 55 so carry on till 65 or older. But in truth, bosses are not taking you, and the real retirement age becomes like say 40. Imagine that you then have lost yr job at 40 but cant take out yr CPF until 68, 70, 80, as the trend seems to be going? Say you start yr first job at 22, you have only 18 yrs to save all that money to retire for at least 40 years (80-40) ?? No one except our Cabinet Ministers can do it.