KUALA LUMPUR: The public should be allowed to withdraw their Employees Provident Fund (EPF) savings so they can put food on the table for their families.
Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan has urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to reconsider the plight of depositors impacted by the escalating living cost and future and current needs must be balanced.
"I understand Anwar's concern about the their future. And I understand the plight of concerned depositors in today's costly life. I hope Anwar understands that future and current needs must both be taken into account," said Wan Saiful.
He said he had received complaints and a memorandum from Pertubuhan Gagasan Inovasi Rakyat Malaysia (PGIR) about allowing the people of Tasik Gelugor to take out their EPF in light of the rising cost of living.
"It's sad to hear some people complain that they can't afford to feed or clothe their kids and that it has driven some of them into depression.
"Even if the government doesn't allow people to access their EPF funds, I won't let them go through hardship," he said.
He added, "since the people of Tasek Gelugor have raised this issue, I will bring it up in parliament and hope government will take this into account in the 2023 budget."
Wan Saiful also asked Anwar about his promised ideas, those that he said he would bring when he became prime minister. But the population, he added, was still struggling to cope with the rise in consumer prices.
"Anwar could solve this by targeted withdrawal, as done by former PM Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin," said Wan Saiful on his Facebook page today.
Yesterday, Anwar said that before deciding on a request for another round of EPF withdrawal, the government must first find a balance between the immediate need of depositors and their future survival.