KBSS ready to be EPF’s strategic partner to help athletes save for future

KOTA KINABALU - The Sabah Youth and Sports Ministry (KBSS) is ready to be the Employees Provident Fund’s (EPF) strategic partner through the i-Saraan programme or voluntary contribution to help athletes save for their future.

Its minister Datuk Ellron Angin said it was a good step to safeguard the athletes’ future, especially those who have retired.

"We see this collaboration as an opportunity for us to highlight i-Saraan to athletes in the state as some of them who have retired do not have permanent savings to sustain in the future.

“The ministry welcomes this effort because it is going to be beneficial especially for sports athletes and youths in the state," he said after receiving a courtesy call from representatives of the Sabah EPF at the ministry at Wisma Muis, on Thursday.

He said a committee will be set up at the ministerial level and a meeting will be held with representatives of sports associations in the state to discuss the need of the contribution for athletes.

Meanwhile, Sabah EPF branch head Sabarudin @ Sabree Hassan who led the visit said through i-Saraan, members will receive an annual dividend of up to 15 per cent per annum or up to a maximum RM250 per annum.

"Contributors will also be given special incentives as well as tax relief and death benefit. In addition, the maximum voluntary contribution amount is RM60,000 a year and members can make the contribution at any time," he said.

i-Saraan is a programme under EPF which was launched in 2018 and is an initiative to enable self-employed members without fixed income and employees in gig economy sectors to contribute voluntarily for retirement purposes.