Pensioners Get All Clear For Protest Rally On May 31

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 A spokesman for the group of former civil servants and veterans says the police had no objection to the rally, and advised them to ensure the safety of participants.
A group of pensioners, including those from the armed services, at a gathering at the veterans’ affairs department in February.PETALING JAYA: About 10,000 pensioners comprising ex-civil servants and army veterans are expected to converge on Dataran Merdeka on May 31 to protest the government’s challenge on a High Court order to revise and backdate their pensions
Rafique Ahmad Nordin, the group’s spokesman, said Dang Wangi police recently replied to their notice of the peaceful assembly saying they had taken note of their plans and “did not state any objection”.
However, the organisers were reminded that the police are authorised to take any action they deem fit during the event to ensure the gathering is orderly.
“The police also asked us to ensure the safety and security of participants. We will abide by the law as we merely want it to be a peaceful gathering, to send a message to the government to give us our due as ordered by the court,” he told FMT.
Rafique, a retired navy officer, said the protest rally, from 8am to 11.30am, would not cause any problem as it was not a demonstration.
n Jan 16, a High Court judge held that pensioners were entitled to revised pensions arising from a 2016 circular, and ordered the government to make payments within three months.
However, the government filed a notice of appeal, with the hearing set for Sept 9.
In March, the High Court allowed the government to stay the payment of the pension arrears, amounting to RM1.7 billion, to nearly 532,000 pensioners pending the disposal of the appeal.
Rafique said pensioners were disappointed that an appeal was filed. He contended that Putrajaya could have easily paid out the arrears. - FMT

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