PSM: Sad that Harapan 'ganging up' with Umno on EPF withdrawals
JOHOR POLLS | PSM has accused Pakatan Harapan leaders Anwar Ibrahim and Lim Guan Eng of "ganging up" with Umno on early Employees Provident Fund (EPF) withdrawals.
PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan said it was "really sad" to see Anwar and Lim do so because it would deplete the savings of the poor.
JOHOR POLLS | PSM has accused Pakatan Harapan leaders Anwar Ibrahim and Lim Guan Eng of "ganging up" with Umno on early Employees Provident Fund (EPF) withdrawals.
PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan said it was "really sad" to see Anwar and Lim do so because it would deplete the savings of the poor.
Arutchelvan pointed out that such statements from Anwar and Lim also reflect that the political elites were bankrupt of ideas when it comes to resolving the woes of the poor.
"Trying to be populist when the consequences are terrible and far-fetching. MPs getting huge pensions don't give a damn about working-class retirement funds.
"We consider this move will only make the workers poorer in the long run. It shows not only the failure of the memorandum of understanding (between Harapan and the government), it also shows that politicians will do anything to win an election at all cost," Arutchelvan said in a statement.
‘Johor voters in favour of move’
Both Anwar and Lim claimed that they received feedback from Johor voters in favour of early EPF withdrawals.
Lim said on March 6 that he had received feedback while on the stump in Johor and concluded that emergency EPF withdrawals were one of six key concerns among voters.
The former finance minister urged the government to allow withdrawals of at least RM5,000 among those in need.
As of October last year, some 7.4 million EPF contributors took advantage of Covid-19 related relief schemes to withdraw RM101 billion.
According to the EPF, 73 percent of contributors will not have enough savings to retire above the poverty line and efforts to help contributors replenish their funds will take place in the future.
