PETALING JAYA: Many current and former MPs say one pension – from the highest position held – is enough, although there are some who feel they deserve the multiple pensions.
Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, for one, is more than willing to limit himself to a single pension.
He had, in fact, tabled a private member’s Bill on the matter but it was rejected.
Syed Saddiq, who will be entitled to his MP’s pension in the future says the current system is unjust when compared to civil servants.
“MPs elected for one term get pensions while public servants have to work decades,” he said, reiterating his stand that the pension system for politicians be abolished entirely.
“Ideally, the system should be removed and replaced with an EPF (Employees Provident Fund) system like for newly-recruited civil servants,” he said.
Former three-term Klang MP Charles Santiago, who is now chairman of the Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights, agrees.
He said parity with ordinary citizens should guide reforms.
“I completely agree there should only be one pension. That’s a fair thing,” he said, pointing to regional trends like in Sri Lanka which, in February, voted to abolish pensions for MPs.
Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim also backed the move, citing national fiscal pressures.
“One pension is enough for elected representatives,” he said, adding that public funds should prioritise development, healthcare, housing and education.
Former Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad also supported the proposal.
“Even if I had more than one pension, I would forgo the rest and retain only one, as meaningful work can continue after retirement,” he said.
Even opposition Jerantut MP Khairil Nizam Khirudin of PAS expressed support.
Some lawmakers, however, urged caution over such a move.
Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said reforms should be carefully studied.
“I would prefer to wait for a proper explanation and a complete picture of what the government wants to reform,” said Wan Ahmad Fayhsal, who has been a deputy minister in two ministries.
Former MP and ex-deputy minister Dr Ong Kian Ming, also downplayed the financial impact of politicians’ pensions on government’s funds, saying they account for less than 1% of total pension payments, projected at RM42bil in 2026.
Ong also highlighted the complexities of multiple roles held by some politicians, who serve as MPs, state assemblymen or ministers.
“If they are paid for multiple roles, should they also receive pensions accordingly?” he asked, suggesting that limiting dual roles may be a more practical reform.
Bersih chairman Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz, meanwhile, supported capping pensions to one.
He said that while fairness must be prioritised, some level of retirement protection remains necessary.
“Some give up stable careers to enter politics, losing their income and safety net. There is a need for a pension scheme, but it must be reasonable,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had previously urged former elected representatives to voluntarily forgo multiple pensions and retain only one.
However, any move to formally abolish or limit multiple pensions would require constitutional amendments in Parliament.
Under the current system, an MP only needs to serve a minimum of three years to qualify for a minimum pension of RM4,000.
Politicians may qualify for multiple pensions across different roles, both at state and federal levels.
