Government retirees stand in good stead to pursue various careers post-retirement because the wide experience they gained while in the civil service is truly a great asset to continue to be active, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak.

He said that the government also valued their contibutions among others by providing monthly pensions, gratuities, Cash Grants, pay in lieu of leave not taken and medical benefits.

"Retirement does not mean the end of our careers but just in the context of being a civil servant," he said in his speech for the "Jasamu Dikenang' event organised by the ministry at Institut Penyiaran dan Penerangan Tun Abdul Razak (IPPTAR), Angkasapuri, here Thursday night.

The text of his speech was read out by his deputy Datuk Jailani Johari.

Also present were the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Sharifah Zarah Syed Ahmad and Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) General Manager Datuk Zulkefli Salleh.

More that 140 retirees from the ministry, Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), the Information Department, Bernama and the Malaysian National Film Development Corporation (Finas) were feted at the event. -- BERNAMA