“We have the capacity to address the withdrawals but our focus has always been to help members restore their savings after the withdrawals because it is important that they find balance for long-term retirement.

“The scheme has been approved by the government and it will proceed. EPF will provide support along the way,” he told reporters after the launch of EPF’s Sustainable Investment Policy and External Fund Managers Pledge here today.

The scheme was launched by finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz.

On March 16, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that the government had decided to allow EPF contributors to make a special withdrawal of up to RM10,000 to ease the burden of those who were still impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and natural disasters like the floods which hit several states.

Members can start applying for the special withdrawal at pengeluarankhas.kwsp.gov.my, which is also accessible via EPF’s i-Akaun mobile application, starting tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Amir said EPF was bullish about the reopening of the country’s international borders tomorrow as it could spur both foreign and domestic investments.

“Borders reopening will be good for Malaysia, as it will help get things running again.

“From an investment point of view, we are optimistic that Malaysia will also see a return to growth. For EPF, it is important because the domestic portfolio is a very strong anchor for us,” he said.

He said EPF was continuously diversifying its investments and aggressively looking for better opportunities with Malaysia remaining as an anchor market.