Govt Asks For More Time To Resolve Ex Judges Suit For Higher Pension

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Twenty-eight former judges and seven widows of former judges want their pensions adjusted annually, based on the salaries of current judges. (Reuters pic)KUALA LUMPUR: The government has asked for more time to decide whether it is amenable to mediation in response to a suit filed by retired judges and dependents on their pensions.
High Court judge Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, who proposed an out-of-court settlement last month, has now fixed another case management on May 26.
Lawyer Christopher Leong, a member of the legal team representing the 28 former judges and seven widows of former judges, said federal counsel M Kogilambigai asked for more time to look into the proposal.
“We have no problem with the government asking for more time. All we want is for our clients’ matter to be resolved and attended to, whether through mediation or the court process,” he told FMT.
Lawyers Abdullah Abdul Rahman and Derrick Moh also represented the plaintiffs, who led the suit early this year seeking a declaration that their pensions should be adjusted annually, based on the salaries of current judges.
The problem arose when the government made a salary revision in 2015 for judges, providing a higher pension plus a 2% annual increment for those who retired after the amendment.
However, those who retired before 2015 continued to receive pensions based on their old salaries plus a 2% annual rise.
The plaintiffs want a declaration that the amendment is in breach of a constitutional provision that judges’ remuneration and other terms of office, including pension rights, should not be altered to their disadvantage after appointment.
They said they had to seek legal redress as the government had refused to entertain their notice of demand sent in September last year. - FMT

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