Pension scrutiny for elected officials

BINTULU: The recommendation by the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) for a review of pension provisions for elected representatives must be from scrutinised from two perspectives.

Political scientist Dr. Novel Lyndon said that from a societal viewpoint, he saw the proposal as potentially favourable, aligning with the general public’s perception of politicians as part of a higher social class.

“Viewed from the perspective of society, it is a positive action that would garner agreement and support from the majority of the people,” he said recently.

The second perspective, according to Dr. Novel, involves legal considerations.

“The second perspective is from a legal standpoint or referring to the acts governing representatives, whether as Members of Parliament or state assemblymen,” he added.

He elaborated that any amendments would require approval from either the State Legislative Assembly or the Parliament, emphasising the instability in the tenure of representatives and the need for legal consensus.

Dr. Novel also called for a data-driven approach before making any decisions, with the financial mechanics behind pensions for public servants.

“This is because the concept of pensions and their implementation for public servants refers to savings from previous service salaries, where 17.5 per cent of their income is deducted and contributed to the Retirement Fund (KWAP),” he explained, noting the fund’s financial independence from national or state budgets.

Moreover, he advocated for a detailed study on the implications of excluding elected representatives from pension schemes, stressing the importance of fact-based discussions over emotional reactions.

On Thursday, Cuepacs president Datuk Dr. Adnan Mat urged the government to reconsider pension provisions for politicians, especially if financial constraints threaten the continuation of the public service pension scheme. He argued for a consistent approach, suggesting that the termination of the pension scheme should also apply to politically appointed individuals currently eligible for pensions, including members of parliament, state assemblymen, and those in executive roles such as ministers and deputy ministers.