‘EPF for housewives not finalised yet’
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has yet to finalise the mechanism to enable housewives to be given two per cent of their husbands’ monthly Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said there were several technical matters to consider, including laws related to the fund, before the Pakatan Harapan pledge could take off.
“I have met EPF chief executive officer Datuk Shahril Ridza Ridzuan and I am happy with the outcome of the meeting. There is, however, a small issue. Based on Section 51 of the EPF Act, the (11 per cent) contribution by employees cannot be touched.
“They have a 1Malaysia Retirement Scheme that husbands can choose to give their wives up to RM250 a year.”
“As such, we have to find an appropriate scheme and how to go about giving housewives (this contribution).
“I have spoken to the finance minister and informed him that the act has to be looked into first,” she said after visiting the National Population and Family Development Board yesterday.
It was earlier reported that the government and EPF were discussing the scheme’s possible implementation, which forms part of Pakatan Harapan’s “10 pledges in 100 days” manifesto.
It is also looking at how “house husbands” and polygamous households fit into the scheme.
The government had earlier suggested channelling two per cent of the husband’s monthly contribution to EPF to housewives while the government topped up the contribution with RM50 each month.
Dr Wan Azizah said she had met auditor general on the audit of the Permata programme.
She said on the government’s end, everything appeared to be in order.
She, however, said internal audits would have to be done by agencies that received funding for the projects.
“Among the institutions in question is Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
“They will have to do these audits to ensure there is no misappropriation of funds.”
On a deadline for the reports’ submission, she replied that it would be looked into after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Dr Wan Azizah had earlier announced that the programme would be reviewed.
The programme was also recently transferred to the Education Ministry.
In October last year, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the programme, which was formerly under his department, would get an annual allocation of RM54.3 million this year, up nearly 20 per cent from RM45.3 million last year.
Dr Wan Azizah said the National Family Policy would be empowered by the National Family Advisory and Consultative Council to strengthen the country’s family institution in facing future challenges.
Dr Wan Azizah, who is women, family and community development minister, said the policy would be discussed in greater detail via the National Family Advisory and Consultative Council, which will convene in August.
“The council will include experts in family-related fields, involving 15 representatives from government agencies and non-governmental organisations.
“Among the items to be discussed are reviewing the policy by taking into account the challenges faced by families now and in the future.
“This includes marriage, divorce, the wellbeing of youth, strengthening family values, declining fertility rates and the ageing population,” she said.
Dr Wan Azizah said the government would also study whether to continue the Amanah Dana Anak Malaysia 2050 (ADAM50) initiative for Malaysian babies born from Jan 1, 2018, to Dec 31, 2022.
ADAM50, introduced by the previous government, provides an early saving plan of RM200 for each baby born in that period.
Among the institutions in question (receiving funding from the Permata programme) is Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. They all will have to do these audits to ensure there is no misappropriation of funds. DATUK SERI DR WAN AZIZAH WAN ISMAIL
Deputy prime minister