In a statement, Kapar MP Abdullah Sani questioned the timeliness of the proposal at a time when Pakatan Harapan is trying to win back the trust of the people in honouring its election manifesto promises.

Though the idea was from the Barisan Nasional-era, Abdullah said it should not come up again and instead be “wiped out” from the present administration’s agenda.

“This (contractual scheme) is a betrayal to civil servants.

“Pension is a form of thanks and appreciation for civil servants for their service,” he said, adding civil servants should be held in high regard as they were the implementers of the government’s aspirations.

Describing it as a “most cruel” proposal, Abdullah said he would not remain silent if the government went ahead with its plan as a way to save administrative costs.

“I will make sure the person responsible answers to the civil servants in Malaysia.”

He called for negotiations to be held with the relevant stakeholders to protect the interests of workers.

Previously, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had said the proposed contractual scheme to replace the pension scheme for civil servants was still under study.

Yesterday, Public Service Department director-general Borhan Dolah said the move to replace the pension scheme was decided at a special public service reform committee meeting in October 2018 that wanted the civil service to be trimmed in phases, and based on need.

He said it was also aimed at reducing the burden of pensions which is approaching RM28 billion a year.

He added that the new contractual scheme, which is being studied, would offer better pay, welfare and allowances.

Civil servants’ salary, remunerations and pensions account for a large portion of the government’s budget.

Last year, the government tabled a budget of RM314.5 billion with RM259.8 billion allocated for operating expenditure and RM54.7 billion for development.

There are more than 1.7 million civil servants.