A commotion erupted in the Dewan Rakyat today when an opposition parliamentarian questioned the gratuity enjoyed by MPs and cabinet ministers.

Kerk Kim Hock (DAP-Kota Melaka) said the current system will "easily turn long-serving MPs into multi-millionaires".

Earlier, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Douglas Uggah Embas said the the current formula (1/48 x salary x 12 x service period) for the gratuity starts from the day the MP or minister takes oath until the end of his/her service.

He said this when responding to a question from Lim Hock Seng (DAP-Bagan).

"This system, for MPs and cabinet members took effect from April 5, 1995," added Douglas.

Public money

In a supplementary question, Kerk argued that the system resulted in the public's money being channeled to these individuals.

The DAP secretary-general cited a written reply from the PM's Department in Parliament last March which revealed that it will cost the government RM8.9 million to pay for 12 retired cabinet ministers.

In response to this, Douglas said: "Don't worry, the government has prepared a huge amount for Mr Lim Kit Siang." Lim is the DAP chairperson and former parliamentary opposition leader.

This immediately fueled the anger of DAP parliamentarians who stood up and protested, but Speaker Dr Mohamed Zahir managed to restore calm.

Review the system

Speaking to reporters later, Kerk said the government should review the system by fixing a ceiling for the gratuity.

He said this was viable since a majority of MPs hold their portfolio for more than one term or five years.

"Try to imagine, the monthly salary for the prime minister is RM20, 751.50 and if he assume his post for more than 20 years, how would he get? And don't forget, he is also getting another gratuity from his MP portfolio," he said.

Kerk added that the gratuity system should emulate the pension system which stipulated that those who retire could only enjoy a maximum of six years for the pension.