Ball in govt’s court, Najib says on loan moratorium, EPF money demands

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 20 Nov 2020 12:19PM · 3 Comments

Najib Razak says Barisan Nasional has done all it can to press the government to accede to the people’s wishes. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, November 20, 2020.

BARISAN Nasional has done all it can to intercede for the people and it is now up to the Perikatan Nasional government to decide whether to extend the loan moratorium and allow withdrawal from EPF Account 1, said Najib Razak.
     
The Pekan MP said BN has exhausted all avenues to press for the two demands.

“BN has sincerely used all avenues to stress why it wanted both demands to be implemented immediately in line with what the people want.

“Whether it is to be done or not is now in the hands of the PN leadership and it is up to them,” the former prime minister said on Facebook today.

Najib said he had met Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz earlier this week to outline how the proposed  measures could be allowed without affecting the worker’s retirement savings and the banks and the government’s finances.

The Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club chairman said he had also explained how the measures would help save the economy.

While debating the budget last week, Najib said the coalition would not support the spending plan unless the blanket moratorium on loan repayment was extended.

Najib also demanded that EPF withdrawals be paid out in a lump sum instead of in instalments.

“The budget was drafted under extraordinary circumstances but it ought to be amended because these are extraordinary times,” said Najib.

“In this matter, BN’s stand is we want the EPF withdrawal of RM10,000 to be paid in a lump sum and the loan moratorium to be extended to June 30, 2021.

“My support and the support of BN MPs hinge on these two conditions being met. Hence our support for Budget 2021 is conditional,” said Najib.

Under the budget, a maximum RM6,000 may be withdrawn from EPF Account 1, which is to be paid out in monthly instalments of RM500.

Meanwhile, the loan moratorium of six months ended in September, after which the government said borrowers would have to talk with their banks to delay repayment or  restructure loans. – November 20, 2020.

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Comments

  • He should pay his overdue and unpaid income tax of @ RM1.7 billion before he opens his big mouth. That sum of money can meet both the conditions he has set.

    Posted 3 years ago by Anwar Ismail · Reply

  • This idiot who sleeps at his desk still has the cheek to open his mouth or maybe the wife asked instructed him to do so.

    Posted 3 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply

  • It is a sad indictment of our nation's political situation that the interests of student loan debtors and EPF members are now being articulated by a convicted criminal who has laundered money and abused his power as PM. This seems a gala performance by a shameless politician in the halls of Parliament which has now been tainted by his presence. When will UMNO, judges and the Malaysians who support UMNO realise that his appointment as backbenchers chairman has brought Malaysia into disrepute and become the laughing stock of the world? Have these people no sense of shame and propriety?

    Posted 3 years ago by Panchen Low · Reply