EPF withdrawal reflects Msia's current economic state, says political advocate

SHAH ALAM - Malaysians are rejoicing the special Employees Provident Fund (EPF) withdrawal of RM10,000 granted by the government as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob recently. However, is it really the right decision?

Political advocate Siti Rahayu Baharin stated that the EPF withdrawal has shown the dire state of the country’s economy where the people have to rely on this scheme - their own retirement fund, after being affected economically by Covid-19.

She commented that the scheme also shows how "the incompetent" government is and failed to keep to its promise of ‘BN Hidup Rakyat’ and the stability of the people’s future.

“I do not agree with the EPF withdrawal since it shows how our country's economy has been now. The reality of our economic state now is that even the government cannot help its people.

“I witnessed two families that used the withdrawal money to bail out their father who is a drug addict, and they used the EPF money for this,” she said.

Siti Rahayu said this during the Sinar Daily's Wacana English Edition, which also prompted an interesting reaction by Umno Subang Youth Chief Alfie Zainal who was also present during the live show.

The Wacana titled Dear Youth Leaders, What's Next? also featured Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) Youth Chief Arveent Kathirtchelvan as the three panelists discussed the social issues faced by the people and what is happening with the country’s economy.