PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has urged Putrajaya to consider allowing another round of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) withdrawals to solve the financial problems faced by the people.
Speaking at the Dewan Rakyat this morning, the Pagoh MP also called on those in power to push the country’s financial institutions to allow targeted loan moratoriums amid the rising cost of living.
“What is wrong with considering another targeted EPF withdrawal if it is what the rakyat wants to help ease the burden during these hard times? After all, it’s not the government’s money but the people’s,” he said when debating the royal address.
“The same can be said for loan moratoriums from banks. The banks continue to record profits even when the country was faced with COVID-19 crisis.
“So what is wrong if banks help the people once more by allowing another targeted moratorium for a certain period to reduce their burden from inflation and overnight policy rate increase? The Government doesn’t even need to spend a single sen.”
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin also warned Putrajaya against continuing its “witch hunt” against PN or risk a backlash in the upcoming state polls.
He said allegations that his administration had misappropriated funds for the management of the COVID-19 pandemic were aimed at smearing PN’s image.
“Right now, they are tarnishing us by calling us thieves and pirates so that the rakyat will not support us (in the upcoming state elections),” he pointed out.
“But I believe the PN wave that we had witnessed during the 15th general election will continue to hit the country and those six states will be ‘levelled’.
“There will be backlash, I am warning you,” he said, referring to Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan, which will hold their elections in the middle of the year.
Muhyiddin noted that he was simply echoing the sentiments of the rakyat, who he claimed were of the view that the Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim-led government was acting maliciously towards the opposition.
“I feel the same as well. I have been in the government for 50 years. Today I am telling you, it is not fair. Do you think you can last forever?” he said. – Feb 15, 2023
Main pic credit: Bernama
