EPF withdrawals of RM500 a month will boost private consumption

Earlier, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the i-Lestari withdrawal facility for EPF contributors age below 55, with a total withdrawal estimated to be RM40bil.

KUALA LUMPUR: The just-announced measure to allow Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members to withdraw up to RM500 each month for a year will help boost private consumption, thus cushioning the impact of the pandemic on the Malaysian economy, said economists.

Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the initiative, to start next month, should help those who are in the low-income category.