Syed Saddiq: Lure of multiple pensions, gratuities reason why senior lawmakers unwilling to retire

KUALA LUMPUR: The lure of receiving multiple pensions amounting to over RM100,000 a month and more than a RM1mil in gratuity is why some senior lawmakers are unwilling to retire, says Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

"That is why a lot of young people ask why MPs don't want to retire, although they are already old and have served for years?

"It is because of the excessive pensions.

"The longer you serve as an MP, the bigger your pension.

"So, there are incentives for an MP not to retire early as they want to get more pension," the Muar MP said when debating the 12th Malaysia Plan in Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Sept 29).

He said such a situation happens when an MP, who had served for several terms, was also a state assemblyman or held several ministerial portfolios.

Syed Saddiq said that it was also similar with regards to gratuity payments for MPs who served as a minister.

"The government has changed three times in this term.

"There are ministers who have been reappointed for the third time.

"My question is, will they get a gratuity payment once or thrice?" he asked.

Depending on the duration of service, a minister may get gratuity payments of more than RM1mil or RM2mil each time they relinquish their post.

"All of this must stop," he said, adding that such practices were unfair to the rakyat.

He added that it was "insensitive" for such MPs not to retire early just because they want more retirement payouts.

Syed Saddiq also proposed that a special committee be set up to discuss issues surrounding multiple pensions and gratuity received by some long-serving lawmakers.

The committee, he added, could also discuss the need for laws to regulate political funding.