Speaking to reporters after an event at the Universiti Selangor Bestari Jaya campus here today, the prime minister said his government was particularly concerned about Malaysians approaching retirement who were left with meagre savings in the fund.
“If we allow more withdrawals when the people only have RM5,000 or RM10,000 left in their savings, what will happen when they retire (for example) in four years from now?”
Anwar called for the press to give the issue fair coverage.
“I know (the argument). It is their money and they should be entitled to withdraw it, but for those with only RM3,000 left who are due to retire in five years’ time, what becomes of their children?”
The prime minister said his government was focused on how to alleviate the rakyat’s struggles now without burdening them in the future.
Yesterday, FMT reported that Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki had spoken to Anwar on calls for a targeted EPF withdrawal scheme.
In a Facebook post, Asyraf said this was conveyed to Anwar, who is also the Pakatan Harapan chairman, during the unity government’s secretariat meeting at Menara Dato’ Onn on Tuesday.
Acknowledging that many had taken jibes at Umno Youth for pushing for multiple EPF withdrawals in the past, Asyraf said there was no need for a blanket withdrawal scheme this time around.
There have been some calls for the government to allow another round of EPF withdrawals, with an NGO named Pertubuhan Gagasan Inovasi Rakyat saying the scheme could be targeted at those who really need it.
However, last month, Anwar said other options should be considered to help those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic instead of allowing further EPF withdrawals.
As most contributors have seen their savings dwindle, allowing more withdrawals will affect their ability to sustain themselves when they retire, he said.
EPF withdrawals were allowed on four separate occaions over the past two years because of the effects of the pandemic. An EPF withdrawal of up to RM10,000 was allowed last year, following the i-Lestari and i-Sinar schemes in 2020, and i-Citra in July 2021.