PETALING JAYA: Don’t be too “cincai” (lackadaisical) when giving information about the money belonging to Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) contributors.
This is Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong’s message to the government after he highlighted that different figures were quoted over the sale of Malaysian Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) shares in 2023.
The Ayer Hitam MP said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan had mentioned in a written reply on Feb 17 that the EPF had sold MAHB shares at RM5.40 to RM7.36 per unit in 2023, generating an income of RM100.7mil.
“However, on Feb 20, the minister said the price was at RM6.80 to RM7.70 per share, generating an income of RM102mil, during the question time in the Dewan Rakyat.
“How did these numbers change within three days?” questioned Dr Wee in a video posted on his social media on Friday (Feb 21).
He said the difference between both answers was RM1.40 a unit, which amounted to RM228.7mil.
“This is a big number. The accuracy of information is important for the EPF, which has been entrusted to look after the savings of the contributors.
“How can the EPF provide such a ‘jawapan sambil lewa’ or ‘cincai’ (lackadaisical) to the Finance Ministry to be answered in the August House?” Dr Wee added.
The MCA president also said Amir Hamzah had mentioned the total revenue for EPF as of Dec 31, 2023 in its financial statement was RM63.48bil.
“However, in the EPF’s official statement on March 3, 2024, the sum quoted was RM66.99bil.
“The difference is also huge at RM3.51bil.
“Which figure is correct?” he questioned.
In his Facebook post, Dr Wee said he would continue to speak up on this issue as a public representative.
“My intention is sincere, I’m voicing things out for good,” he said, adding that he welcomed those who wished to refer him to the Parliament Select Committee for Rights and Privileges.
