Ismail Sabri urges previous EPF withdrawal advocates to do same now

KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob appears to be favouring another round of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) withdrawal as a means to cushion the impact of high cost of living on the rakyat. 

In this regard, he said those who had previously urged him into announcing a special EPF withdrawal of RM10,000 when he was prime minister to similarly pressure today’s government into doing the same. 

“Yesterday, while I was eating after doing some exercise, a lady approached me and complained, asking the government to allow the public to withdraw from EPF. 

“Previously, during my time (as prime minister), many made noise when we conducted a study on whether or not to allow the withdrawal. In the end, we decided to do it. 

“I hope the rakyat can similarly voice out and urge (the current government to allow) for further withdrawal. Whoever had voiced out when I was prime minister, please voice out again.”

Ismail Sabri said this after attending MCA’s Chinese New Year open house at the party’s headquarters, here, today. 

The Bera MP’s statement comes just a week after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said it was better for the government to look for other alternatives to help those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic than to allow further EPF withdrawals. 

He said the cabinet would have to consider the future of the EPF contributors before allowing another round of special withdrawal, noting that many today only have very small savings. 

“Too little…I’ve checked the amount of savings and for a majority of contributors, it is too small, and I am very concerned about their future. 

“It would be better for the government to look for other options to help them,” he had said. 

Previously, when Ismail Sabri was prime minister, his government had allowed a special withdrawal scheme of up to RM10,000 for EPF members under the age of 55 to help ease the burden faced by the people. 

He had previously said the decision was made based on the findings of a comprehensive study and examination of people who are still adversely economically affected, have lost income, and are rebuilding their lives. – The Vibes, January 22, 2023