KUALA LUMPUR: The Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) members may apply for the newly-announced withdrawal scheme, i-Citra beginning July 15.
It said that applications can be made via the i-Citra online portal at icitra.kwsp.gov.my and the payments would be credited in the respective members' accounts in August this year.
"All members below the age of 55 are eligible to apply for i-Citra, which allows them to withdraw up to a maximum of RM5,000 subject to their total combined balance in both Accounts 1 and 2.
"The approved withdrawal amount will be paid for a period of up to five months, with a fixed monthly payment of RM1000 per month subject to savings balance and a minimum of RM50.
"An updated mobile number to receive the Transaction Authorisation Code (TAC) and an active personal bank account are required to facilitate the application process," it said in a statement issued by EPF's corporate affairs department today.
It was responding to the announcement made by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin during a special address.
EPF said it supports the government's initiative to address the needs of Malaysians impacted by the pandemic by introducing the i-Citra withdrawal facility to help its members tide over the impact of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in the short-term.
"i-Citra is being introduced in response to the challenges that EPF members are facing and was developed after careful consideration on how best to assist affected members, while upholding the EPF mandate."
It said while EPF remained committed to safeguarding members' retirement funds, it acknowledged the need to balance current demands against future needs and facilitate temporary relief for members amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
For further information, members may refer to the EPF website at www.kwsp.gov.my, or contact i-Citra Hotline at 03-8922 4848.
Muhyiddin had said that under i-Citra, some 12.6 million EPF members will be able to withdraw up to RM5,000.
The payment would be split into five months at RM1,000 a month, depending on the amount available in a member's account.
The implementation of i-Citra is expected to channel RM30 billion to the rakyat to cover their daily expenses.