Can use EPF Account 2 for Haj, Hui Ying reiterates amid backlash

Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying is calling for a stop to fake news regarding Employee Provident Fund withdrawals to perform the Haj pilgrimage.

This comes after backlash against her when she told the Dewan Rakyat on Monday that withdrawals cannot be made from the “Retirement Account”, previously known as Account 1, but can be made from the “Wellbeing Account” or Account 2.

Most media, including Malaysiakini, had reported it along the lines of “Funds from EPF Retirement Account can’t be withdrawn for Haj”.

Comments on social media indicate that this was misunderstood by many who thought the EPF would not let contributors withdraw any funds to perform the Haj.

“I wish to stress again, as was explained in the Dewan Rakyat on Oct 28, that the Wellbeing Account can be used by prospective Haj pilgrims below the age of 55, subject to terms and conditions,” Lim said in a statement today.

“This is the procedure set in place since 2013 regardless of who was in power,” she added.

The EPF accounts had been renamed after the two accounts were split into three accounts, with the third being the “Flexible Account”.

Lim said allegations that no funds can be withdrawn at all from the EPF to perform the Haj were “untrue and slanderous”.

She called for swift action to stop such fake news from becoming a 3R issue.

Her aide has also lodged police reports against two social media users who made videos that turned the issue into a racial one, alleging Muslims were being oppressed and blocked from using EPF savings to perform the Haj.

“The madness of chasing attention and popularity without studying the negative impact can lead to unwanted divisions, especially when elements of race and religion are used irresponsibly,” Lim said.

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