GEORGE TOWN: PKR's Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Fahmi Zainol has offered to be the first politician to have his pension cut.
Fahmi, who is a member of the PKR central committee, said he believed the abolishment of the pension scheme should not be limited to new civil servants, but include one-term politicians.
"Many have commented on the government's proposed (pension) reform.
"As an elected representative, I offer myself to be the first politician to have my pension cut," he said today.
Previously, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the government would introduce a new civil service hiring policy, which would include a new pension scheme.
He had said that under this plan, new hires in the civil service would contribute to retirement schemes like the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) and Social Security Organisation (Perkeso).
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He said an announcement on the date of implementation would be made by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.
The plan is expected to take effect this year.
Fahmi, who is state Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperatives Development Committee chairman, said several parties have expressed their dissatisfaction with the fact that the pension reform plan would affect civil servants, but not elected representatives.
"This should involve elected representatives, too.
"It may not be fair for elected representatives who have served for a long time.
"But for politicians who are new or have served only one term, it makes sense for them not to get a pension."
Fahmi called for equality in the implementation of the plan, saying that ministers and elected representatives should be part of it.
Earlier today, Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli said the abolishment of the pension scheme for civil servants should be extended to elected representatives to ensure fairness.
He said he was against the move unless it was done across the board, without exclusions.