Nobody asked for EPF funds as collateral, Bersatu Youth chief tells PM

Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal today claimed that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has failed to assist those in dire financial straits even with a line-up of prominent economic advisers.

Rather than allowing targeted withdrawals by Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members, Wan Fayhsal (above) said Anwar, who is also finance minister, had instead given the people what they did not ask for - to use their retirement funds as collateral for emergency loans.

“That’s not what the rakyat want. If you were to check all the comments, at least by netizens, I think all the comments are negative towards that proposal.

“I think the government or perhaps the finance minister should come up with a proper proposal,” said Wan Fayhsal, who is also Bersatu Youth chief, during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur after delivering his keynote speech at the wing’s fourth annual general assembly.

“I’m sure the government with all the advisers he’s having now should be able to come up with something more creative and long-lasting to help affected Malaysians,” said the Machang MP.

He added that Perikatan Nasional (PN) MPs will question the government on the proposal in Dewan Rakyat next week.

On Thursday, Anwar announced the move during his winding-up speech on the 2023 Supply Bill in Dewan Rakyat, as an alternative method to targeted withdrawals for those who are desperately in need of cash.

In his speech to 429 Bersatu Youth delegates, Wan Fayhsal also targeted Anwar for his past criticisms of former finance minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, who is also a former banker.

“The prime minister (Anwar) was the one who said ‘banker jaga banker’, and he challenged banks to cancel debts and others.

“Now, the people are in hardship, allow them targeted withdrawals. This is the problem when we appoint a prime minister who is pro-World Bank and pro-International Monetary Fund,” he said.

Zafrul is now serving in Anwar’s cabinet as international trade and industry minister.

Among top Bersatu leaders present at Menara PGRM include party vice-president Radzi Jidin, supreme council members Saifuddin Abdullah, Azmin Ali, and Women’s wing deputy chief Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, besides Gerakan and PAS representatives as PN coalition partners. - Mkini