KUALA LUMPUR: Former minister Khairy Jamaluddin has volunteered to have his pension removed.
In addressing the proposed review on the country's pension scheme, he said he'd rather have the system reformed than hang on to his pension as he knew it would cost the future generations.
"A red herring came up and it was said that you shouldn't target civil servants, you should remove pension from politicians.
"This has become such a poison chalice. I'm entitled to pension when I'm 50 and I've said it on the record, take it (the pension) lah," he said in an episode of the 'Keluar Sekejap' podcast recorded in front of an audience.
He said he was willing to give up pension if the people refused to accept reforms in the pension scheme because of the issue of politicians' pensions.
The former Rembau member of parliament said the bulk of the pension liability did not come from the benefits for ministers.
Khairy, who previously held the health; science, technology and innovation; as well as youth and sports ministerial portfolios, even went as far as suggesting that the move be done in retrospective.
"If it's such a big deal, then I don't want the pension.
"I've served as a minister for more than seven years. Take it. I owe you nothing. You owe me nothing."
He said this following the government's announcement that all new civil servants would not receive pensions under the proposed reform pension scheme.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he agreed that the review on civil servants' pension scheme applies to politicians too.
However, he said no decision had been finalised as the proposal needed to be further studied and fine-tuning.
Khairy is among those calling for urgent reforms in the country's pension system for future hirings, saying it was needed as the country would risk facing severe financial repercussions if nothing is done.
It was reported that the government would have to spend more than RM120 billion annually by 2040 based on the current remuneration scheme.