Dewan Negara to debate targeted EPF withdrawals on April 10, says Ahmad Maslan

KUALA LUMPUR: The motion for targeted EPF withdrawals will be debated in the Dewan Negara on Monday (April 10), says Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.

The Deputy Finance Minister said he himself would be present to listen to senators for an hour to debate on the issue.

"We will discuss this on Monday at about 4pm. Senators will be given an hour to give their take on the matter. Wait for Monday.

"The two focus points would be on the need for targeted withdrawals and the usage of EPF savings as collaterals for bank loans," Ahmad said.

He was responding to the media at the Retirement Fund (Incorporated) headquarters here.

The media had asked his opinion on the government's refusal to allow another round of targeted EPF withdrawals.

Opposition MPs had staged a walk-out from the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (April 4) after the Deputy Speaker refused a motion to debate the proposed targeted withdrawal of EPF savings.

There had been much pressure on the government to allow another round of EPF withdrawals by those who claimed that they needed to dip into their second accounts to make ends meet.

On March 9, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Putrajaya would introduce a new policy where those who were in dire financial straits would be able to use their EPF savings as collateral, says

"I will ensure that EPF allows contributors who are in dire straits to take up loans from banks with collateral from EPF, this is the best (I can do)," said Anwar while delivering his winding-up speech as the Finance Minister in Parliament then.