Politicians burden the Govt the most in pension payments

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Politicians burden the Govt the most in pension payments

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12, 2024: Malaysia’s 10^th Prime Minister (PMX) Anwar Ibrahim has lamented the burden of pension payments on the Government.

Anwar then proposed to introduce legislation limiting politicians to a single pension scheme.

Many netizens have commented on the issue but one of the most well red comments is that politicians burden the Government the most.

This is why politicians stab one another to be elected in general elections and are “willing to kill” to stay in power at all cost:

“The Pension Payment that burdens the Government the most is actually to Politicians, which is higher Allowance than salary!
In particular, the positions of PM, TPM, MB, KM, Minister, Exco, Member of Parliament and State Assembly Member.
They should not be Civil Servants and are disqualified from receiving the pension scheme for only holding office for 60 months.
They should not be eligible for a full pension, compared to Civil Servants who have to work for 240 months to qualify for a pension.
Take a look at an example of emoluments for a Cabinet Minister:
1) Basic salary = RM18,000
2) Entertainment Allowance = RM10,500
3) Housing allowance = RM10,800
4) People's Allowance = RM10,650
5) Parking allowance = RM10,650
5) Actually they don't pay to park the vehicle, because they use an official vehicle.  In addition, the Government also had to pay an emolument of RM16,000 per month to 222 members of the Dewan Rakyat and RM11,000 per month to 70 members of the National Assembly.
Imagine every election (once every 5 years) the elected representatives change and they all live long, how much does the pension cost for former elected representatives?
This is more wasteful and burdensome than lowly Civil Servants such as Grade 11 general assistants with a salary of only RM1,216 and after serving for more than 30 years, their salary is as low as RM2,983.  So the pension only amounts to RM1,491.50 per month for 15 years (after the age of 60).  if we take the life expectancy of Malaysians up to 75 years.
Note 1: Minister's Vehicle Parking Allowance is higher than Grade 44 Salary!
Note 2: If the lowest grade salary of a government employee is RM1,500 including allowances then the salary of a minister is equivalent to 37 Grade 11 general assistants.
Politicians who hold office, supposedly to defend the fate of the people, in fact they are only defending their own fate.
This must be corrected.  This does not include Politicians who take advantage of other opportunities to make a profit.
*Please go viral so that many more retirees know*

No News Is Bad News reproduces below a news report on two MPs who support Anwar's call to limit lawmakers to one pension:

Politicians back law limiting lawmakers to single pension

Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman says lawmakers have a moral obligation to set a good example.

Amirul Aiman - 11 Feb 2024, 11:20pmBentong MP Young Syefura Othman and former Sungai Benut MP Tawfik Ismail support Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s call to limit lawmakers to one pension.

PETALING JAYA: A government backbencher has expressed support for a proposal to introduce legislation limiting politicians to a single pension scheme following a call made by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim last month.

Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman said the proposal is appropriate, having regard for the pay and allowances lawmakers currently receive.

According to the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) Act 1980, an MP’s monthly salary, including allowances, is about RM25,700. MPs can also claim further allowances and subsidies for specific purposes.

Previously, Aliran, an NGO, urged the prime minister to introduce legislation restricting lawmakers to receive only one pension as part of his reform agenda.

Young Syefura said lawmakers are morally obliged to set a good example by demonstrating a genuine commitment to reduce the government’s financial burden.

“I think our prime minister has shown strong political will (by calling for lawmakers to choose only one pension scheme). It is now up to us to show support for any proposal that limits us to one pension scheme. I will be part of that,” she told FMT.

On Jan 27, Anwar said politicians and government employees who receive multiple pensions should fulfil their moral responsibility by choosing just one scheme.

Supporting Anwar’s call, former Sungai Benut MP Tawfik Ismail said it is unfair for lawmakers to receive multiple pensions after only a few years of service.

However, he said such a law may see resistance in Parliament.

“The people who will have to push for such a law are the lawmakers themselves, and they may not agree with the proposal because it involves their personal interests,” he said.

Meanwhile, former Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah said she would rather see lawmakers focus on resolving the country’s social security issues.

Although agreeing in principle to the “one person, one pension” proposal, Maria said it is more crucial for lawmakers to address issues surrounding the social and financial security of retirees.