Yes to abolishing politicians pensions - Syed Saddiq

SHAH ALAM - Muar Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, agrees with the suggestion by economist Dr Muhammed Abdul Khalid to abolish pensions for all ministers and parliamentarians and include them in the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) scheme like everyone else.

Saddiq has stated that the proposal should be implemented so that politicians can experience financial constraints similar to those faced by ordinary citizens.

"I, 100 per cent agree with the suggestion of no pensions for politicians, including myself. Currently, politicians receive pensions that are even higher than civil servants who have served for decades. Politicians enter office and immediately get a lifetime pension," he said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, the media reported that Muhammed believed that all ministers and parliamentarians should be "taught" to experience the hardships of life like the general public by cancelling their pensions and suggesting that they be included in the EPF scheme like everyone else.

Meanwhile, Saddiq, who is also the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) party president pointed out that politicians who become ministers, parliamentarians, and State Legislative Assembly members (ADUN) also receive multiple pensions because some of them hold various positions in government bodies.

"These pensions are tiered. Ministers, parliamentarians, ADUNs, all kinds of positions. The suggestion to put them under EPF is reasonable, just like ordinary citizens," he said.