PETALING JAYA: The public, especially those hit by the floods, are asking the government to allow another round of RM10,000 withdrawals under the i-Citra scheme from the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), says Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
This is because the RM1,000 one-off cash aid provided by the government to flood victims was insufficient, he said, adding that asking affected Malaysians to take out bank loans to rebuild their lives would also put them in a difficult position.
"Listen to the cries of the people who want i-Citra aid, especially since many need to rebuild their lives and livelihoods following the disaster that has struck.
"The reason given to reject the EPF withdrawal this time is the same one given when we went to meet the Finance Minister and he defended the stand to not allow it (the withdrawal) during the first movement control order.
"Umno Youth has tried all avenues available to bring the people’s voice, including by meeting personally with the EPF chief executive officer, the Finance Minister and the Prime Minister," Asyraf Wajdi said in a statement on Facebook on Sunday (Dec 26).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was quoted as saying by news portal Free Malaysia Today that the government had no intention at the moment to allow those hit by floods to make EPF withdrawals under the i-Citra scheme.
He was also quoted saying that for those needing to start a new business, Tekun was offering an interest-free loan of RM10,000 with a one-year moratorium on loan payments while Bank Simpanan Nasional was also offering interest-free loans of RM10,000 to purchase essential items for the home, with a six-month repayment moratorium.
However, Asyraf Wajdi said he hoped this would not be the final decision of the Prime Minister and Finance Minister.
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