00:00A group of pensioners, including former servicemen, are planning a mammoth gathering in April
00:06to protest against the government's decision to challenge a high court order to revise
00:11and backdate their pensions.
00:14The group's spokesman, Rafik Ahmad Nordin, said they aim to get 10,000 pensioners and
00:18veterans to demand that the government implement the court order.
00:22He said the rally is tentatively set for April 18.
00:26The controversy began when a high court judge ruled on January 16 that pensioners were entitled
00:31to adjusted pensions based on a 2016 circular ordering the government to pay fees within
00:37three months.
00:39Despite their efforts, the pensioners have not received any response from Prime Minister
00:42Anwar Ibrahim regarding a request for a meeting and are further disheartened by the Attorney
00:47General's chambers appealing the court's decision.
00:51Rafik said the group was also upset that the government had no issue in backdating the
00:56pensions for retired judges, which they were informed ranged from RM200,000 to RM400,000.
01:03This issue was highlighted when a senior official from the Attorney General's chambers confirmed
01:08that these judges had received their revised pensions last November.
01:13Rafik criticized the government for rectifying the judges' pension issues while neglecting
01:17similar adjustments for lower-income pensioners, which he views as discriminatory and unlawful
01:23under the current laws regarding pension adjustments linked to salary revisions.
01:28Dhanesh Rajareza, FNT News.
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