Of pensions and politicians

MY friend, who was a teacher for 24 years and five months, was short of seven months to qualify for a full pension.

He is now receiving just RM1,100 a month whereas his colleague who put in exactly 25 years of service is receiving a full pension of RM2,000 monthly. This is the situation of a government servant.

However, a politician who served just one term as a member of Parliament or state assembly representative receives a full pension for life. How is this justified? Furthermore, there are many who receive more than two pensions.

It would look like many individuals became politicians not to serve the public but to amass enough wealth for themselves and their families. It’s no surprise that children nowadays aspire to become politicians in order to amass immense wealth.

I have yet to hear of anyone who became a pauper after being MP or Adun, especially those who were also part of the government. But there are many who entered politics with minimal means and exited as millionaires.

A government clerk who was active in politics contested in a state election, won and was subsequently appointed an exco member during his second and third term as representative.

He lost in his fourth election attempt, but after 20 years in politics, he is a multimillionaire, lives in a mansion with a fleet of luxurious cars and has landed properties all over the country. He also enjoys more than one pension.

I sincerely request that the government do away with the pension for retired politicians and just pay a one-off gratuity for the number of years they served.

One should enter politics to serve the nation and not to amass wealth.

V. RAJOO

Seri Kembangan, Selangor