Ageism in Malaysia’s workforce

IN 2020, I applied for a contractual senior lecturer position in English Literature at a public university in Tanjong Malim, where the vacancy urgently needed to be filled. Despite holding a PhD in English Literature and having extensive experience, my application was rejected solely because I was 51, exceeding the arbitrary age limit of 45 for PhD holders.

A year later, my former PhD supervisor recommended me again for the same position, which was still vacant. But the only response I received was a polite acknowledgement, and I found out later that the role was filled by a younger PhD holder from Yemen.

In 2023, I applied for a similar contractual position at another public university in Penang. This time, I passed two rounds of interviews but was eventually told that they preferred someone younger.

Now at 55, I have let go of any hope of returning to university teaching despite having the energy, experience and sharpness of wit that the role demands.

This highlights the troubling ageism that exists in Malaysia. If universities, which should be hubs of wisdom and knowledge, have policies that deem individuals over 50 irrelevant, what hope do we have for other sectors? Malaysia’s workforce seems to universally regard older adults as unfit for employment. This stands in stark contrast to countries like the United States and the United Kingdom where people work well into their 70s.

Ageism in Malaysia is emerging as a deeply concerning issue. Senior citizens in Malaysia are frequently reduced to symbols, used by the younger generations to project a polished, altruistic image on social media. Instead of acknowledging our skills and contributions, they often share sentimental posts about “helping the elderly”, turning our lives into hashtags rather than genuinely recognising the value we bring, much like charity photos at retirement homes or viral videos showing token acts of kindness.

But we don’t need sympathy – we need empathy. Employers and the government must recognise that people in their 50s bring valuable experience, skills and knowledge to the workforce. With Malaysia set to become an ageing nation by 2030, it’s time to make senior citizens relevant in this increasingly ageist society.

The government, led by a Cabinet largely made up of senior citizens, must not only recognise the seriousness of this issue but also take decisive action to dismantle ageism and ensure that no one is marginalised because of their age.

INDRANI RAMACHANDRAN

Seri Kembangan, Selangor