HULU LANGAT: The authorities has no intention for the time being to permit these hit by floods to make Employees Provident Fund (EPF) withdrawals below the i-Citra scheme, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The Prime Minister stated there was no want for EPF withdrawals as the federal government was providing varied different types of monetary help to people and companies to recuperate from the floods.
“If you need to start a new business, Tekun is offering an interest-free loan of RM10,000 with a one-year moratorium on loan payments.
“Banks like Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) are also offering interest-free loans of RM10,000 to purchase essential items for the home, with a six-month loan moratorium,” he was quoted as saying on information portal Free Malaysia Today after attending clean-up efforts in Taman Sri Nanding and Kampung Dusun Tua.
The Prime Minister was requested on the federal government’s stand whether or not it would permit the withdrawals of RM10,000 below i-Citra following calls from many quarters to ease the burden of the individuals.
Further elaborating, Ismail Sabri stated the federal government has some reservations to permit such withdrawals as many contributors have inadequate financial savings for the longer term.
“The aim of the EPF is to have savings during retirement,” he was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri stated Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) was giving a 100% rebate for December payments to home prospects affected by the current floods.
He stated 72,000 prospects would profit from the one-off rebate.
“This doesn’t involve factories, this is for houses.
“I have also asked TNB to help B40 homes affected by the floods when the electricity supply is reconnected,” Bernama reported Ismail Sabri as saying yesterday after visiting areas affected by the floods in Hulu Langat.
He stated the utility firm had been finishing up free wiring inspections at flood-affected homes in Selangor, Pahang and Kuala Lumpur since final Friday.
Apart from that, Ismail Sabri stated Perodua would additionally present a free towing service for Perodua autos primarily based on the car’s insurance coverage.
“Perodua had agreed to forego the labour charges to repair and service vehicles sent to its service centres and offer a 50% discount on spare parts.
“I was made to understand that Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz will negotiate again with other car companies such as Proton.
“I hope other companies can follow what Perodua is doing,” he stated.
Ismail Sabri additionally stated the federal government would enhance the preliminary allocation of RM100mil to restore flood-damaged homes and infrastructure.
On the proposed software for Bantuan Wang Ihsan to be made on-line, he stated the matter could be mentioned within the first assembly of the particular process drive for post-flood actions chaired by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali right this moment.
Ismail Sabri additionally stated 332 army personnel had been deployed to Maran, Raub, Temerloh, Jerantut and Kuala Lipis in Pahang to help within the post-flood clean-up course of whereas 213 officers and policemen had been additionally mobilised for a similar goal.
