2026-02-17 / Debate: Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading and Committee Stage 2026-02-17
Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper criticised the Bill to abolish the MPs' pension scheme as politically motivated — aimed at public approval rather than genuine reform — arguing that removing a legally conferred right without providing an alternative is unjust. He cited the case of former MP Anandasangaree, who relies on his pension for independent living, to illustrate the human impact of abolition without replacement. Drawing on the New Zealand model, Kariapper proposed a contributory welfare fund for retired MPs in need, financed by Members themselves rather than the Treasury, and announced he has drafted both a formal amendment and a fallback Private Member's Bill to this effect. He also announced that he has separately submitted to the Secretary-General a Private Member's Bill to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and incorporate terrorism offences as a distinct chapter within the Penal Code, triable under ordinary law with bail jurisdiction vested in the High Court — holding the Government to its own manifesto pledge.
Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, today is quite interesting. There seemed to be a sense of guilt in the mind of the Hon. Minister of Justice and National Integration when moving this Bill to abolish the pension scheme. He himself said something like, “It may not be good now; in the future, good MPs may not come to Parliament because of this.” I reflected on that. The vast majority in Parliament today are from your side — you have 159 Members, including many newcomers. Are you saying they are not the honest, principled, corruption-free MPs we seek? If so, then this Bill is just to gain a little public applause.
I am not entitled to a pension, nor do I need one. Some of us can make a living as lawyers anywhere. Earlier, Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa, who served for years as a teacher, spoke. My late father served as a Judge and my mother received a widow’s pension, which allowed her to gift her grandchildren without asking us — a dignity now denied to many by recent changes. Remember: when a right is given by law, you cannot simply take it away at will; it is wrong to do so.
New Zealand abolished MPs’ pensions but created a welfare fund — not from the Treasury — to support needy retired MPs, contributed to by Members themselves. I have drafted a comprehensive amendment along these lines. If the Government will not accept it, I will bring it as a Private Member’s Bill.
Second, in your Manifesto — “for a beautiful life” — turn to page 129. There are more promises to fulfil: you pledged to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Instead, you bring something even heavier. I have, therefore, today handed the Secretary-General a Private Member’s Bill to repeal the PTA and to incorporate “terrorism” as a specific chapter in the Penal Code, making it triable under ordinary law, with bail to be considered by the High Court under the Bail Act. Likewise, I will bring a Bill to establish a welfare fund for non-pensioned former MPs, funded by Members’ contributions, to support those genuinely in need — much like village funeral assistance societies do. Surely we can do at least that.
A few days ago, (Prof.) Tissa Vitarana met our Leader. Former MP Anandasangaree told him, “Hon. Rauff Hakeem, I live on my pension.” His son is a Member of Parliament in Canada — that is irrelevant; a parent should be able to live independently, with dignity, on the retirement benefits earned by full-time service here.
What you are doing is unfair — abolishing without a suitable alternative. Internationally there are alternatives: a contributory welfare fund that can assist genuinely needy retired Members. You have done none of that.