13MP: Proposal On Monthly Pension Via EPF Needs Flxible Approach - MP

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- The first day of debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) motion at Dewan Rakyat today saw various issues raised by government and opposition MPs covering aspects of social protection, education and the welfare of the people.

Among the issues raised was a call for the government to take a flexible and choice-based approach regarding the proposed monthly pension payment through Employees Provident Fund (EPF) savings.

Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar) said the monthly pension approach should not be made mandatory given that the annuity option (payment of money with a certain amount and interval) already existed within the EPF framework.

The Government Backbenchers Club (BBC) chairman said that if the proposed monthly annuity was to be expanded, it must be protected from depreciation due to inflation.

“The monthly pension payment structure needs to be reviewed periodically and increased in line with the current cost of living... I hope the government will take a phased, flexible and choice-based approach and ensure that any new scheme provides effective long-term protection to the people,” he said.

According to the 13MP document issued by the Ministry of Economy earlier, the government will explore a new mechanism to guarantee continuous income after retirement, aimed at improving the well-being of workers, including the separation of EPF contributions into two components, namely retirement savings and retirement pensions.

Besides, Mohd Shahar also proposed that the list of items in the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) be revised by prioritising healthy nutrition as recommended by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to ensure long-term health development, especially among children.

“A UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) report shows that the rate of stunting and wasting among children in Malaysia is still high, at 21 per cent and 11 per cent respectively, hence this programme should also be coordinated with MOH's healthy nutrition campaign so that the assistance is not only filling but also healthy,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohd Nazri Abu Hassan (PN-Merbok) proposed the re-establishment of the National Bumiputera Agenda Council (MABN) with a more effective implementation function, including the establishment of a specific innovation fund to support Bumiputera efforts in the high-tech and green industry sectors.

Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli (PH-Pandan) also stressed the importance of several shifts in the education system, including the need to provide universal pre-school education services starting from the age of five.

“If children are not educated at an age when their development potential is good, namely between the ages of five and nine, when they reach grade four or five, no matter what they do, they will be left behind.

“Other countries spend resources during early education, not during university, Form Five and so on,” he said.

In addition, he proposed that the schooling period should end earlier, namely at the age of 16, because this measure would also allow the younger generation to enter the employment sector earlier, namely around the age of 21, especially considering the country’s aging population.

Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (PH-Ledang) also suggested that comprehensive education reforms should take into account the needs of the rural community, including prioritising rural education infrastructure projects, thus narrowing the gap between urban and rural students.

In the face of an aging nation, Wong Shu Qi (PH-Kluang) proposed that a bill on elderly care be immediately drafted and tabled in the Dewan Rakyat to ensure that the welfare of this group is always defended.

Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) also suggested that the government introduce a long-term care financing system such as insurance for the elderly.

The sitting continues tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA