On Thursday, Cuepacs president Adnan Mat said that although civil service members still received their full pay during the pandemic, their overall household income had been affected as more than half of them had spouses who were in the private sector or operated small businesses.

“Some of them have lost their jobs, have had their incomes affected or can no longer do business following the continuous implementation of the movement control order since last year,” Adnan said.

In a statement today, Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the issue raised by Cuepacs was consistent with the complaints his wing had received from members of the civil service, and hence it too backed the call for moratorium on repayments of LPPSA loans.

“In fact, the implementation of the ‘work from home’ policy by the government has increased other daily living expenses such as electricity, water, internet and food bills,” he said.

“For Umno Youth, the government’s policy on moratoriums should not only be focused on banking institutions alone.

“Theres should also be moratorium on other loans offered by the government, such as LPPSA, and by  agencies such as Mara (Majlis Amanah Rakyat), PTPTN (Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional) and PTPK (Perbadanan Tabung Pembangunan Kemahiran).”

Asyraf’s proposal is in contrast with the comments made by former international trade and industry minister Rafidah Aziz, who said that people unaffected by losses in income were in no position to make demands of the government at a time when many are struggling.

“Like me, I have a regular income because of my pension,” she said. “Why should I be shouting for help?

“The government must look at who’s the borrower. Prioritise those badly affected by Covid-19. As for those who have been working from home and are still getting their incomes, what reason do they have for a deferment?”