The government is expected to introduce other initiatives besides EPF to help the people
SHAH ALAM - There is still an endless debate surrounding the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) issue.
Some parties have turned the issue into propaganda, as if there is reluctance from the government to help the people, especially workers affected by Covid-19 pandemic.
However, there various initiatives to help the people, which not limited to EPF withdrawals only.
On Monday, it was reported that Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) president Mohd Effendy Abdul Ghani, in a statement, said the government should come up with other initiatives to help the working class and not to once again allow EPF withdrawal.
He said EPF contributions are important savings for old age and it was unreasonable to demand a fifth withdrawal.
Responding to the statement, Human Resources Deputy Minister Mustapha Sakmud said the National Wage Consultative Council (MPGN) needs to discuss with MTUC to come up with a win-win solution on the proposal to review the implementation of cost of living allowances and pensions for private sector workers.
The Sepanggar MP said the discussion was important to ensure the implementation could be done while taking into account MTUC and certain parties' views about it.
More importantly, the people need to understand that their old age savings will be affected if the EPF withdrawals are allowed to continue.
On March 19, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was reported as saying that EPF withdrawals will affect the national investment fund.
The Tambun MP said the government needs to find alternative meaures to reduce the people's burden while also ensuring the country's investment funds are not affected.
It is expected that the government will present other initiatives to help the people soon.
It has also been reported that the Madani Government's focus right now is to eradicate extreme poverty and to try to reduce the national debt which has reached RM1.2 trillion.
Therefore, the people need to be patient and have faith in the Unity Government led by Anwar to pave the way to a better future.
