HULU LANGAT: The government has no intention at the moment to allow those hit by floods to make Employees Provident Fund (EPF) withdrawals under the i-Citra scheme, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

       The Prime Minister said there was no need for EPF withdrawals as the government was offering various other forms of financial assistance to individuals and businesses to recover from the floods.

       “If you need to start a new business, Tekun is offering an interest-free loan of RM10,000 with a one-year moratorium on loan payments.

       “Banks like Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) are also offering interest-free loans of RM10,000 to purchase essential items for the home, with a six-month loan moratorium,” he was quoted as saying on news portal Free Malaysia Today after attending clean-up efforts in Taman Sri Nanding and Kampung Dusun Tua.

       The Prime Minister was asked on the government’s stand whether it will allow the withdrawals of RM10,000 under i-Citra following calls from many quarters to ease the burden of the people.

       Further elaborating, Ismail Sabri said the government has some reservations to allow such withdrawals as many contributors have insufficient savings for the future.

       “The aim of the EPF is to have savings during retirement,” he was quoted as saying.

       Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) was giving a 100% rebate for December bills to domestic customers affected by the recent floods.

       He said 72,000 customers would benefit from the one-off rebate.

       “This doesn’t involve factories, this is for houses.

       “I have also asked TNB to help B40 homes affected by the floods when the electricity supply is reconnected,” Bernama reported Ismail Sabri as saying yesterday after visiting areas affected by the floods in Hulu Langat.

       He said the utility company had been carrying out free wiring inspections at flood-affected houses in Selangor, Pahang and Kuala Lumpur since last Friday.

       Apart from that, Ismail Sabri said Perodua would also provide a free towing service for Perodua vehicles based on the vehicle’s insurance.

       “Perodua had agreed to forego the labour charges to repair and service vehicles sent to its service centres and offer a 50% discount on spare parts.

       “I was made to understand that Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz will negotiate again with other car companies such as Proton.

       “I hope other companies can follow what Perodua is doing,” he said.

       Ismail Sabri also said the government would increase the initial allocation of RM100mil to repair flood-damaged houses and infrastructure.

       On the proposed application for Bantuan Wang Ihsan to be made online, he said the matter would be discussed in the first meeting of the special task force for post-flood activities chaired by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali today.

       Ismail Sabri also said 332 military personnel were deployed to Maran, Raub, Temerloh, Jerantut and Kuala Lipis in Pahang to assist in the post-flood clean-up process while 213 officers and policemen were also mobilised for the same purpose.