The Council of Former People’s Representatives Malaysia (Mubarak) is requesting the government not to marginalise the interests of former legislators when tabling the 2012 Budget this Friday.    

Its information chief, Abdul Rahman Sulaiman, said Mubarak had sent a memorandum to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak a few months ago, for, among others, the restoration of retirement benefits of former legislators.  

“The government has improved the retirement benefits of civil servants and each time this group (former legislators) was left out and was not part of the review.   

“It was the same when retirees received the RM500 special payment, I understand we did not receive it. We hope the situation will be rectified,” he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.   

Abdul Rahman, who is also chairperson of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), specifically pointed out the situation of some of the council’s members who were left out and did not receive retirement benefits before regulations came into force where legislators who served at least three years or 36 months were placed under the pension scheme.    

“There are not many in this group but we hope their situation will be taken into consideration in the request,” he said.  

Meanwhile, Abdul Rahman called on former legislators who have not registered as members of the council to so do to protect their interest and welfare.  

He said from the thousands of former legislators, only about 750 had registered with Mubarak.      

“We know many former people representatives are poor without any support and not all are living comfortably. I have been informed some have taken up jobs as taxi drivers and fishermen.  

“As such it is this group that we want to protect but we can only help if they become members,” he said.  

He said Mubarak was also working on establishing a branch in Sarawak to serve former legislators in the state.   

- Bernama

Related stories :

Pakatan MPs want 'plagiarist' judge removed

Shadow budget to rein in high cost of living

Dr M: Pakatan's budget like an empty pocket

Suhakam to meet 'upbeat' AG over security laws

RM9 million spent on PM's jet this year

PM to pump-prime as polls, slowing growth loom

'We haven't seen draft amendments to land code'

'Banishment Act outdated, not practical'

Retirees seek cost of living allowance