Anwar joins calls for EPF withdrawals

 

Those who are in dire straits must be allowed access to their funds in the EPF, says Anwar Ibrahim.

PETALING JAYA: Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim supports the call for the government to allow the withdrawal of funds from the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), especially by those who are struggling to make ends meet.

He said that contributors should be able to access their funds as soon as possible without any hindrance and bureaucratic hassle.

“There is increasing pressure from the public who want the government to allow EPF withdrawals,” he said today in a Facebook post.

He added that he heard many complaints during his campaign trail in Johor from people who are in dire straits and desperately need access to the funds.

Previously, Anwar was reluctant to support this move citing that it would affect the people’s savings for their retirement.

“Although I was reluctant, I asked the government to cover the losses suffered by those who were greatly affected by the floods in December, if EPF withdrawals were not allowed,” he said.

“But three months later, the government and finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz have still not heeded my advice.

“Therefore, having seen this failure on the part of the government, I now lend my support for EPF withdrawals to be allowed,” he said. - FMT