'What's wrong with consideration EPF withdrawals', asks Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR - Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has asked the government to consider targeted Employees Provident Fund (EPF) withdrawals if that is what the public wants.

He said the government should focus on efforts to improve the economy and preserving the people's welfare.

"What is wrong with the government considering targeted EPF withdrawals if that is what the public wants to ease their burden in these trying times.

"The same applies to the moratorium on bank loans. Banks will continue to make profit even during a crisis.

"Banks should assist the public by reintroducing the loan repayment moratorium on a targeted basis for a certain period to ease the burden of individuals affected by inflation and the increase in the overnight policy rate (OPR)," he said in Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.

The Pagoh MP said even though the government has been in power for three months, no such concrete and comprehensive steps were taken by the government to overcome the cost of living issue.

"We heard a minister say if the chicken is expensive, don't eat chickens. If eggs are expensive, don't eat eggs. This is not something the public hoped for from the government.

"The public expects for the government to take action in terms of policies, initiatives or specific interventions to raise wages, channel help to those who need it as well as ensuring the supply of basic necessities is sufficient and sold at a reasonable price," he explained.

Muhyiddin said the budget Rahmah Menu introduced by the government is a good initiative but questioned whether the initiative could hold if the cost of raw ingredients continues to rise.

He hoped for the government to announce proper concrete measures to overcome the cost of living issue and aid those who are vulnerable.