Perikatan Nasional Youth has called on the government to reconsider its position on non-pensionable permanent employment of civil servants.
Its deputy chief Wan Ahmad Fayshal Wan Ahmad Kamal said the government should find alternative solutions to benefit the people instead of abolishing the pension scheme.
“The current decision to end the pension scheme for new government employees hired on a regular basis requires a more careful assessment, taking into account the pension rights clearly stated in Article 147 of the Malaysian Constitution and the Pension Act 1980 (Act 227).
“In fact, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim once stressed that the federal government will not withdraw the pension scheme, given its clear provisions in the Constitution. This decision should be reconsidered by all relevant parties involved,” he said in a statement today.
The new proposal to review the public service remuneration scheme was agreed upon by Anwar in principle.
However, the prime minister said that the matter would only be finalised by the cabinet after looking into the feedback from various parties and the findings of in-depth studies involving various aspects of the Federal Constitution.
He added that existing civil servants and politicians who are eligible for pensions will not be affected by the newly proposed public service remuneration system.
Pensions to cost RM120b by 2040
Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan said the government had allocated RM31 billion for pension payments to retirees this year and the figure was expected to increase to RM120 billion in 2040.
He also pointed out that in terms of the country’s financial management, 48 percent of the budget was allocated to emoluments and pensions.
“If we can lighten the (government’s) existing burden, we can channel the surplus to other areas that are important for the people and country such as education and better infrastructure facilities,” he added.
Amir said the government understood the role of civil servants in the administration of the country was important, and therefore, the government was committed to improving their welfare.
This includes the payment of an RM2,000 bonus to be paid next month and an allocation of RM2.4 billion to build, maintain, and refurbish quarters for civil servants, teachers, hospital staff - as well as police, military personnel, and firefighters.
‘Sudden move’
On a related matter, Arau MP Shahidan Kassim described the government’s decision as a sudden move, surprising many quarters, particularly the civil service.
“If we look at a government agency, most of the low-ranking posts are held by those from the bumiputera community.
“The new move would affect them the most. This is coming too soon,” Utusan Malaysia quoted him as saying.
If such a measure is needed, Shahidan added, the government should at least give it a five-year time frame before implementing it. - Mkini
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