KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today assured civil servants currently in service that they are entitled to receive pension benefits upon retirement.
He said civil service pension benefits are protected under the law, as set out under Article 147 of the Federal Constitution, which secures the rights of pensioners; and are regulated through the Pensions Act 1980 (Act 227) and the Statutory and Local Authorities Pensions Act 1980 (Act 239).
“Giving retirement benefits to government pensioners is an acknowledgment and recognition of the contribution of civil servants throughout their service,” Dr Mahathir said.
He was responding to Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Mohamed Said’s (BN-Kuala Krau) question on the current status of a proposal to implement the improved Contract Appointment Scheme to replace the Permanent and Pensionable Appointment Scheme in the public service.
Although the government is facing challenges in financing retirement benefits due to an increasing number of retirees, Dr Mahathir said the government is taking steps to look at new mechanisms to ensure that the government’s burden could be reduced and that civil servants would not lose out after retirement. – Bernama