'Hadi wrong about pensions'

Source: The Star

PETALING JAYA: Existing civil servants will still get their pensions under a proposed review, says Cabinet Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad in criticising PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang (pic) for attempting to muddy the issue.

Nik Nazmi, who is PKR vice-president, said it was only civil servants hired after February who will have to go on the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) retirement scheme as the government undertakes pension reform.

"This proposal does not affect existing civil servants," Nik Nazmi, who is Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability minister, said in a statement yesterday.

On Wednesday, Abdul Hadi, who is also Marang MP, had criticised the government's new proposed policy for civil servants in a speech at the Dewan Rakyat,

Nik Nazmi also slammed Abdul Hadi for implying that contributing to the EPF was un-Islamic.

"Does the former Terengganu mentri besar and also the ex-prime minister's special envoy to the Middle East not understand that the EPF is also a retirement scheme?" said Nik Nazmi.

He said the Kelantan Islamic Foundation (YIK), a state agency under the Kelantan PAS administration, had introduced a new retirement scheme based on EPF contributions.

"Why didn't PAS object to this when YIK announced its plans?" added Nik Nazmi, who is also Kelantan and Terengganu PKR chief.

"Does Abdul Hadi know that the EPF has provided an avenue for contributors to have syariah-compliant options that will be invested based on its principles?"

While debating the motion of thanks on the royal address, Abdul Hadi also said all elected representatives should be treated fairly.

"Regardless of who the government is after elections, they (elected reps) must be given an allocation whether they are with the government or the Opposition.

"This is what is called being fair, because taxes are collected from everyone. Clothes are taxed, services are taxed. They don't ask whether the person (supports) the government or Opposition," he said.

On Jan 24, the government announced that new civil service hires will no longer receive pensions under a proposed revamp.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said they would instead contribute to the EPF and the Social Security Organisation.