IPOH: Single mothers registered under the e-Kasih database will receive a one-off RM50 contribution from the Perak government to open accounts under the i-Suri and i-Saraan schemes under the EPF.
State women, family, social welfare and entrepreneurship development committee chairman Datuk Salbiah Mohamed said the initiative was introduced to recognise and provide social protection for single mothers from poor and hardcore-poor households.
The contribution is being given in conjunction with this year’s state Women’s Day celebration.
“Through this initiative, recipients who make contributions will receive a government incentive of 50% of their total savings,” she said during the launch of the celebration at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building here on Thursday (March 5).
She added that beneficiaries’ heirs would also be eligible to receive a death benefit incentive of RM2,500.
“This is to ensure that those who need protection, especially individuals who face difficulties safeguarding their own welfare, are taken care of,” she said.
The i-Suri scheme is a voluntary Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution programme for housewives in Malaysia, while i-Saraan is designed for self-employed individuals without a fixed income to save for retirement.
Salbiah said a total of 1,979 single mothers are eligible to benefit from the initiative, involving an allocation of RM98,950.
“We hope this effort will encourage those who are self-employed to contribute voluntarily and enjoy the government incentives, while securing a more stable future in old age,” she said.
She added that if recipients continue contributing up to RM600 by the end of the year, they will receive an additional RM300 incentive from the government.
