The memorandum was submitted to Anwar’s political secretary, Azman Abidin by Khairul Anuar Othman, president of Pertubuhan Aktivis Rakyat Malaysia (ProRakyat).

He said the early withdrawal is needed as a short-term solution for those who suffered hardship because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said many EPF contributors have pending bank loans that need to be settled, while those who have obtained new jobs or have ventured into small businesses after losing their jobs during the pandemic need some cash injection urgently.

“Applying for loans is not the best solution at the moment,” he said in a press statement.

“The special EPF withdrawals have in the past also proven to aid in the economic recovery process since there would be cash flow from retail purchases of essential goods, payment of pending bills and loans in addition to expenses incurred for schoolgoing children.”

ProRakyat is among several groups that have been asking Anwar’s unity government to consider allowing another one-off EPF withdrawal recently.

The previous government of Ismail Sabri Yaakob was also pressured to approve a new withdrawal round after three special withdrawal schemes were allowed during the pandemic, resulting in a total of RM101 billion being taken out by contributors.

However, then finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz opposed the withdrawal requests, saying that EPF may have to sell more of its investment assets overseas if the government allows contributors another round of withdrawals from the retirement fund.