DAP Wanita calls for an immediate reversal of the ruling that gives Pos Malaysia - a privatised corporation - the monopoly over computer purchases using Employees Provident Fund (EPF) withdrawals.

"Giving Pos Malaysia monopolistic control over EPF withdrawals for purchases of computers is cronyism and victimises small businessmen," said DAP Wanita vice-chair and Malacca state assemblywoman for Durian Daun Betty Chew Gek Cheng.

Chew was commenting on the announcement by Deputy Finance Minister Chan Kong Choy last week that only Pos Malaysia will be handling sales of computer to EPF members from Wednesday to prevent abuse of the facility.

Soon after the announcement, 170 computer suppliers and dealers of Malacca declared their opposition to the ruling.

"Preventing abuses of EPF withdrawals is merely an excuse to hand over the monopoly to Pos Malaysia.

"If those who seek to avoid paying hundreds of millions of ringgit in taxes can be tracked down and punished, it is hard to believe that the Finance Ministry cannot identify or track down those who abuse a few thousand ringgit to buy computers," said Chew.

Setback

She said that the public should not support the irresponsible ruling as this will definitely set back the promotion of a knowledge-based economy (k-economy) and building of an Information Technology (IT) society.

"Allowing this ruling means Pos Malaysia would be the ones determining the type of computers to be bought and since Pos Malaysia offers only 11 brands, this means that these 11 brands will enjoy special position and eliminate other brands.

"Pos Malaysia would have immediate monopoly of computer purchases and this will affect the 10,000 computer dealers and suppliers nationwide," Chew said.

Furthermore, the consumers will have no contact with the supplier and will face difficulty in updating software or repairing hardware, she added.

Chew also said that international confidence in the government's commitment towards establishing an IT society requires free competition and not a monopoly.

"Abuse of a competitive sector such as IT proves how serious financial favouritism and cronyism is in Malaysia."