Revoke politicians' pensions, replace it with EPF contributions - Bersih

SHAH ALAM - The government should consider the proposal to abolish the pension of Members of Parliaments and State Assembly Members by replacing it with contributions to the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) as savings after the end of service.

Bersih Chairman Thomas Fann said there were leaders who only served one term equivalent to four to five years before stepping down, but still receive a lifetime pension.

"However, ordinary citizens such as civil servants have to serve for a long period of time or until retirement to receive their pension.

"Furthermore, politicians who serve as assemblymen, members of Parliament or ministers get three separate pensions which is seen as very unfair to the people," he said when contacted by Sinar Harian on Thursday.

Based on media reports on Wednesday, economist Dr Muhammed Abdul Khalid voiced out the proposal when speaking at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH), Kuala Lumpur.

Muhammed believes that they should be 'taught' to feel the hard life and financial constraints as faced by the people who often express their feelings of being affected by the increasing cost of living.

Thomas added that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim needed to see the matter as part of political reform.

"Through this reform, a political career will be treated the same as any other professional field and not a ticket to get an easy and luxurious life," he said.