THERE are five key issues members of Parliament should raise during the Budget 2021 debate this week, said Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

They were the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) withdrawals from Account 1, bank loan moratorium, RM85.5 million allocation for the Special Affairs Department (Jasa), additional aids for the M40 group and more assistance for students.

The Umno Youth chief said EPF contributors should be allowed to withdraw more than the RM500 per month as announced in the budget. 

“Based on feedback from the ground, I have previously suggested that a maximum withdrawal of RM10,00 from the EPF Account 1 is allowed.

“This would be a voluntary scheme which would cost about RM40 billion (for EPF), which is about 4% of EPF’s fund of RM940 billion,” he said in a statement on Facebook.

On Friday during the tabling of Budget 2021, the government said EPF contributors can make withdrawals of RM500 per month from their Account 1. This can be done for up to 12 months or RM6,000 in total.

Prior to the budget, many calls were made for the government to allow a lump sum withdrawal of up to RM10,000 to benefit lower-income groups.

On the loan moratorium, Asyraf Wajdi said it should have been done automatically instead of the way it was proposed in the budget.

Under the budget proposals, B40 borrowers and micro enterprises were given the option to defer the loan payment to either three months or 50% monthly installment reduction for six months.

Umno had previously called for the reintroduction of the loan moratorium which ended in September.

Asyraf Wajdi also said the assistance for the M40 group should be re-evaluated because their lives were also affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

As for students, he added that they too should be helped more.

“Umno Youth’s initial proposal to help the students is for them to be given RM50 a month for 12 months in the form of an e-wallet, as a benefit of purchasing internet data.

“MyBrain15 book vouchers, student cards, and scholarships also need to be reintroduced as a measure of economic recovery,” he explained.

Asyraf Wajdi also said MPs should debate the high allocation set for Jasa, an agency which was used as a propaganda unit by the previous Barisan Nasional government.

“The allocation that is too large to restore Jasa at this time and it should be reviewed again,” he added.

The Dewan Rakyat sitting from today will focus on the debate session on the Supply Bill 2021.

The current Dewan Rakyat sitting is limited to only 80 MPs – 41 from the government, 39 from the opposition and independents – as a measure to curb the spread of Covid-19. – November 9, 2020.