KUALA LUMPUR: Unity government representatives have expressed support for the prime minister's call for politicians to opt for only one pension scheme, even if eligible for more.
This includes Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha @ Mohd Yunus Sakmud.
When contacted by the New Straits Times, Khaled who is also Kota Tinggi member of parliament and previously served as the Johor menteri besar from 2013 to 2018, said he would be only choosing one pension.
"Agree," he briefly said when asked if he welcomed Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's call to take only one pension.
Zaliha, who is Sekijang MP, had also expressed her willingness to only take one pension.
"Morally, I am with the prime minister on this matter, and ready to take only one pension," she said.
Meanwhile, Mustapha, who is Sepanggar MP, said politicians should set an example and choose only one pension scheme.
"I think it's a good suggestion. Politicians need to set a good example," he said.
On Jan 17, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said newly appointed civil servants will no longer receive traditional pensions, but instead contribute to the Employees' Provident Fund and the Social Security Organisation.
He said the move was to ease the government's financial burden by reducing pension payments which are expected to reach RM120 billion by 2040 if no changes were made to the system.
Last week, Anwar told politicians, who are entitled to more than one pension scheme, to uphold their moral responsibility by choosing only one.
Unity government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil had said the advice by Anwar that politicians choose only one pension scheme is reasonable and is something that the unity government 'wakil rakyat' is ready to join in.
Loke, who is both Seremban and Chennah assemblyman, had said earlier today that he and DAP were ready to sacrifice and take only one pension scheme as this was a necessary change for the financial standing of the country.
At a separate press conference, Zambry who is the former Perak Menteri Besar and Perak state exco also said he has no issue choosing only one pension scheme.