PETALING JAYA: It is fine to scrap pensions for MPs and assemblymen but not for civil servants, say some elected representatives.
Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the government ought to inform the public before making its decision, adding that it needs a thorough study.
“I feel that the lower-ranking civil servants will need their pensions more than me. Whatever it is, it must be thought through very carefully and the reasons for it must be made known to everyone, especially the public,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi previously announced the government’s intention to introduce a new civil service hiring policy incorporating a new pension scheme.
With this proposal, traditional pensions would be phased out in favour of increased contributions to retirement schemes like the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and the Social Security Organisation for new hires.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said any decision made following the review of the public service remuneration scheme will also apply to politicians.
Meanwhile, Tanjung Piai MP Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng said he is prepared to forgo his own pension, adding that cutting the pensions of civil servants would impose a serious burden on them.
“I am willing and prepared to forgo my pension as an MP. However, I will not be able to stomach seeing civil servants, especially personnel in the lower ranks, being forced into the same situation.
“Any government policy requires deep research before implementation, in particular its impact on the layperson and not make abrupt announcements which cause unnecessary confusion and anxiety.
“I recognise and comprehend that our nation’s financial constraints pose difficulties for the government today.
“However, this cannot be conveniently deployed as an excuse to penalise the rakyat, including civil servants, via policies that in my opinion can be avoided.
“It should be noted that most of these civil servants serve our nation and citizens by executing their responsibilities in their respective government ministries, departments and agencies,” Wee said in a statement.
Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said the government’s decision to cut pensions so that it could alleviate the country’s fiscal burden is not a good enough reason.
He said it would be extremely unfair to cut the pensions of civil servants if politicians don’t suffer the same fate.
“I propose, firstly, for the government to scrap politicians’ pensions. Civil servants have to work for many years to get their pensions but politicians can get their pensions within five years of winning (an election).
“Secondly, review the salaries and allowances of civil servants. The last time they were increased was in 2013, which was 10 years ago.
“For example, police officers work all day and all night to protect the country, but they are not given overtime allowance, just a monthly RM200 allowance,” he said in a statement.
Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman agreed with doing away with pensions for politicians.
“Of course, I would be willing to forgo my pension if it can help lower-ranking civil servants keep theirs, especially those in critical sectors like health and education.
“It must start with us politicians,” she added.
Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim said that using the EPF for retirement benefits should not apply to MPs and assemblymen since, technically, they are “not civil servants who work”.
“MPs and assemblymen win elections but civil servants actually do the work so they are not the same.
“Between a politician and a civil servant, priority must be given to the civil servant because under Article 153 of the Federal Constitution, a public service worker cannot be simply fired or demoted.
“Therefore, the government must be careful and bring this matter up for discussion in Parliament as soon as possible,” he added.
Selayang MP William Leong believed the main issue that should be resolved is the civil servants’ low wages, saying a careful review is needed on the new pension scheme.
“The low pay does not allow the government to attract and keep talent, especially professionals.
“A careful review is therefore required on the objectives and vision of the government for the civil service.
“One should also not jump to the conclusion that the civil service is bloated because in Malaysia, the civil service includes the armed forces and police,” he said.
