EPF's i-Sinar like a ray of hope for those impacted by the pandemic
The retrenched airline pilot who went viral for serving customers at his Subang Jaya mi kari and bihun sup stall in his captain’s uniform is advising those who have lost their job to make full use of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) i-Sinar facility.
Azrin Mohmad Zawawi, 44, said they could use this opportunity to pay off debts or for a new venture to generate income...
The retrenched airline pilot who went viral for serving customers at his Subang Jaya mi kari and bihun sup stall in his captain’s uniform is advising those who have lost their job to make full use of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) i-Sinar facility.
Azrin Mohmad Zawawi (below), 44, said they could use this opportunity to pay off debts or for a new venture to generate income.
"It depends on your interest; maybe you like sewing and can buy a sewing machine and start taking orders.
“I think debts are the main issue and if those impacted can settle them with their EPF savings, it would be even better,” said the pilot with 20 years of flying experience.
On Nov 16, the EPF announced that the facility would be available to contributors who have been retrenched, furloughed or have no income.
It said those with RM90,000 or less in Account 1 could access a maximum RM9,000 while those with more could access a maximum RM60,000 or 10 percent of their savings.
Flight attendant, Mohamad Aizamuddin Zakry, 33, who lost his job in June said i-Sinar is like a light at the end of the tunnel.
He said the compensation he received has run out because he used it to pay for daily needs, make overdue payments because he wasn’t paid during the movement control order and to open a stall in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.
“But unfortunately, I had to close the stall because of the high number of Covid-19 cases in the area. Now my savings are used up, too. I’m living from hand to mouth,” said the former cabin crew member of more than 10 years.
The EPF announcement brought him renewed hope.
“I’ve opened a food stall in Subang Jaya with money lent by friends and family. I only make RM60 a day, so I’ve begun other initiatives like selling frozen food.
“It’s not like I’m not looking for a job, just that job opportunities have dried up,” he said.
Airline employee, Azlan Ibrahim, 30, said it was an announcement he was long waiting for because he has been furloughed.
“It is very helpful in the current situation,” he said.
However, Md Arif Kasim, a flight attendant who was retrenched last month after serving his company for more than four years said he will not be using the facility.
The 30-year-old who started a small food business in July said: “I still have some money to fall back on, but this facility will really help those who have no money in the bank.”
- Bernama
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