BARISAN Nasional MPs have urged Muhyiddin Yassin to consider extending the loan moratorium by another six months or in part for those eligible in the bottom 40 and middle 40 groups.

BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, in a brief statement this evening, have also asked the prime minister to approve withdrawals from Account 1 of the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF).

“All BN lawmakers, totalling 43, met yesterday and agreed to unanimously back the Budget 2021, to be tabled this Friday.

“We also pledge our support for all bills that will be tabled by the government,” he said in the statement.

It was reported earlier today that the government was studying suggestions to allow certain contributors, such as laid-off workers, to withdraw funds from their EPF Account 1.

Account 1 consists of 70% of a workers’ contribution and is specifically for retirement.

On the issue of moratorium extension, Muhyiddin reportedly said the government will examine the approach to facilitate the process for those in dire need of the support.

“We will study methods to facilitate the process for those who need support and will announce the decision soon,” he said, adding that consideration will be given to certain groups that are badly affected.”

As at October 16, more than 650,000 applications for loan repayment assistance have been filed, comprising 603,500 individual applications, small and medium enterprises (43,000) and other businesses (3,500).

Of this, the approval rate for the applications is 98%.

The six-month moratorium implemented to help Malaysians wade through economic hardship ended on September 30. – November 4, 2020.