Pensions cannot be abolished in the blink of an eye
The proposal to abolish parliamentary pensions has sparked controversy among the public and politicians. (Small picture: Wan Junaidi) - FILE PIX
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However, Dewan Negara Speaker Tan Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said that the government can implement the proposal gradually.
"Starting now, the government needs to study future hiring without pensions, such as replacing it with contributions to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and so on," he told Sinar yesterday.
According to him, the Federal Constitution also needs to be amended if the proposal were to be implemented.
"Many things need to be amended, and it's a significant step involving public opinion, so it cannot be implemented arbitrarily," Wan Junaidi explained.
He said that the pensions of Members of Parliament do not actually burden the government financially because the amount is very small compared to other public service sectors.
"It's not fair if one segment is abolished while the others are not," he said.
Wan Junaidi who has served as a Member of Parliament for Santubong for five terms, said that the government should consider the pension recipients ability to cope, as they rely solely on pensions as savings when their service ends.
"We need to look at the long-term effects. I am very confident that the impact on the country is quite positive because the government no longer needs to pay pensions that amount to over RM40 billion annually," he said.
In the meantime, Wan Junaidi criticised the Member of Parliament for Muar, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who reportedly agreed with the proposal.
He said that the Muda President lacks experience and only sees it from his perspective.
"People like Syed Saddiq don't understand; maybe in 20 years or when he gets older, he will understand," he said.
The issue of parliamentary pensions has resurfaced after economist, Dr Muhammed Abdul Khalid, recently suggested that all ministers and Members of Parliament should no longer receive pensions.
According to him, they should be taught to experience the hardships faced by people who often express their dissatisfaction with the cost of living.
Former Member of Parliament for Rembau Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar, also had agreed with the proposal.
Election monitoring body, Bersih, had also called on the government to abolish parliamentary pensions and replace them with contributions to EPF.
Bersih Chairman Thomas Fann was quoted as saying that some Members of Parliament or State Legislative Assembly members only served for one term, which is four to five years, but they receive lifelong pensions compared to civil servants who have to serve for a longer period.
"Moreover, politicians serving as State Legislative Assemblymen, Members of Parliament, or ministers receive three separate pensions, which is seen as very unfair to the people," he had told Sinar.
In March, Sabah, Sarawak, and Special Duties Minister Armizan Ali confirmed that a representative could receive multiple pensions simultaneously.
According to him, through a response posted on the Parliament's website, State Legislative Assemblymen can receive a pension under state ordinances and, at the same time, can receive a pension as a Member of Parliament if they meet the qualifications under the Member of Parliament (Allowances) Act 1980.
In June, legal practitioner Datuk Khairul Anwar Rahmat asked the government to clarify claims that the country spends RM2 billion annually to pay pensions to former representatives.
He referred to a Facebook post by 'Muhamad Harris Nasril' that raised questions about the allocation for former representatives who are said to be eligible to receive a maximum pension of three-fifths of the RM16,000 salary of a Member of Parliament, which is equivalent to RM9,600.
Salary and allowances for Members of Parliament
Members of Parliament in Malaysia receive a salary and allowances of approximately RM25,700 per month.
At the same time, they can also claim other allowances and subsidies, such as RM400 per day for attendance in the Dewan Rakyat or RM1,000 every three years for formal clothing subsidies.
Monthly fixed payments
Salary: RM16,000 per month.
Ceremonial allowance: RM2,500 per month.
Special payment for non-administration MPs: RM1,500 per month
Travel allowance: RM1,500 per month.
Petrol allowance: RM1,500 per month.
Driver allowance: RM1,500 per month
Phone allowance: RM900 per month.
Toll allowance: RM300 per month.
Other Allowances
Parliament attendance allowance: RM400 per day
Meeting/workshop agency allowance: RM300 per day
Mobile phone purchase: RM2,000 every three years
Computer purchase: up to RM6,000
Formal clothing subsidy: RM1,000 every three years
Official trips: business class flights or first-class train travel
First-class ward at government hospitals
Source: Member of Parliament (Allowances) Act 1980
