KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The confusion over the process of withdrawal from Account 1 of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) under the i-Sinar programme is expected to be cleared next Wednesday (Dec 2), says Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz (pic).
The Finance Minister said detailed information on the i-Sinar programme would be announced by EPF on that day.
" EPF will announce the details, how the process is going to be carried out and others on Wednesday," he said during the "Ruang Bicara" programme produced by Bernama TV Saturday (Nov 28).
He said this when asked by programme host Sherkawi Jirim on the confusion of the public concerning the groups that qualified to withdraw their contributions.
Generally, Tengku Zafrul said qualified individuals were those who had lost their jobs or whose pay were affected, with withdrawals of up to RM10,000 if their savings in Account 1 are less than RM90,000, but not all at once, while those having more than RM90,000 will be able to withdraw up to RM60,000.
On the allocation of RM3bil to finance the procurement of the Covid-19 vaccine, which was said to be insufficient, Tengku Zafrul said the allocation would be increased based on need.
"We will not hesitate to increase the allocation if necessary... this is not only for vaccines, but also for all the necessary allocations needed related to the Health Ministry (MOH), especially the allocation to fight Covid-19.
"According to a study conducted by the MOH and the Energy, Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, about RM3bil is needed to vaccinate about 70% of Malaysians. That estimate was given based on their discussions with vaccine companies," he said.
On the total allocation to the Special Affairs Department (JASA) which has been rebranded as the Community Communications Department (J-KOM), Tengku Zafrul said the total allocation would only be known during the committee stage of the Supply Bill 2021 (Budget 2021).
"At the committee level, the Communications and Multimedia Ministry will make an announcement on the allocation.
"The ministries are still discussing... what we want to see, and Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah agrees, is that we should and need to reduce its allocation, ’’ he said. - Bernama
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