KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi has called on Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz to be a people-centric leader, instead of one with a spirit of a bank officer.
In his Facebook post today, Puad was responding to Tengku Zafrul’s earlier statement that there will be no extension for the implementation of the i-Sinar and i-Lestari programmes by the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
The people, Puad said, realise that EPF is not a financial institution such as banks, and only want to withdraw some monies to alleviate themselves during tough times.
“The people do not want to withdraw their EPF contributions every day.
“However, the problem is that the Perikatan Nasional administration has made the sovereign fund operate like a bank instead.
“If the people are suffering, why can’t they withdraw a bit of money?
“Yes (I agree), it is savings for post-retirement. But when would they retire? You can’t expect them to starve to death, can you?” he asked in his posting.
Puad also questioned Tengku Zafrul on his statement that the government cannot force and control banks with regards to bank loan moratoriums.
“Zafrul says that the government cannot force the bank. The government cannot control banks. Isn’t the government issuing bank licences (to operate)?
“Zafrul should learn the meaning of being a ‘people-centric leader’ and not a ‘banker-centric leader’.”
Despite Tengku Zafrul’s remarks, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had said last week following discussions with Bank Negara Malaysia that the banking industry has given full assurances and commitment to continue to provide loan repayment assistance as well as offer moratorium.
He said the B40 group and people affected by job losses as well as micro-enterprises and SMEs that are not allowed to operate during the full movement control order were given the option to receive automatic moratorium approval for three months or get a 50% instalment reduction for six months. – The Vibes, June 7, 2021
