By Adrian Lim and Nancy Nais
KUCHING, March 23: Contributors of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) were advised not to click on a website link called semakonline.com for the application to withdraw RM500 from their EPF Account 2.
EPF clarified that the website, which is being shared online, does not belong to them and it has never appoint any government agencies to process the application for the i-Lestari Account 2 withdrawal as announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin earlier today.
EPF chief executive officer Alizakri Ali said embers may apply for the i-Lestari Account 2 withdrawal scheme beginning April 1 and members can expect their savings to be deposited into their bank accounts from May 1.
“i-Lestari will provide some relief to those financially affected during this period of concern and uncertainty. As a retirement fund, the EPF has to strike a balance between our mandate to safeguard our members’ retirement savings, and caring for their well-being,” he said in a statement.
Alizakri explained that to enable members below the age of 55 to withdraw monthly savings from their Account 2, it would require an amendment to the EPF Act 1991 under Section 54 (6).
“We are placing i-Lestari as our top priority for urgent roll-out. We have a dedicated email for i-Lestari, ilestari@epf.gov.my, where our members can send in their queries. These will then be collated and added to our list of FAQs on our website www.kwsp.gov.my,” he said.
Alizakri reminded members that it is important to practise discretion when reading the news and social media.
“There are a lot of scammers and rumours going around, especially through WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter. Please know that the EPF only communicates to the public via our website, and our official social media channels,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Commercial Crime chief Supt Mustafa Kamal Gani Abdullah said he is checking on any police reports regarding the matter.
He advised the public to not click on link from unreliable sources, which could be fake. He reminded that EPF has its own website and members should go directly to the website to check for any updates. — DayakDaily
