JOHOR BAHRU, October 13 – The Independent Parliamentary Candidate for Pulai urges the government to grant special permission for B40 (bottom 40%) income group individuals to withdraw money from the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) in response to the ripple effects of soaring basic commodity prices. “I see this as an urgent necessity that must be carried out immediately after witnessing the hardship faced by the B40 group, which has forced their children to work on the streets,” said Samsudin Mohamad Fauzi, sharing his observations today.
“Imagine, Bandar Baru UDA is located in the heart of Johor Bahru and appears luxurious, but there are many poor people struggling to make ends meet. I sympathize with them. “Children who should be focusing entirely on academics or playing joyfully are forced to seek sympathy from others to sell snacks for a few Ringgit,” he said. The President of the Consumer Safety Association (PKPKL), running as an Independent Candidate, shared these experiences while touring and listening to the grievances of the poor in Johor Bahru today.
Samsudin pledged to raise the issue of B40 rights and EPF withdrawals in Parliament if he wins in the Pulai by-election tomorrow. He added that although the EPF should be savings for old age, today, the poor need the money now as long as the government fails to reduce the prices of food items. “Money in hand and food on the table are more important for the lives of the poor today, not in an uncertain future where they may not even be alive,” he said. He called on the government to ensure that this group is closely monitored and given detailed attention until the government can truly stabilize the economy and reduce the prices of basic commodities, especially rice, chicken, eggs, and vegetables.
“This is a critical time for economic growth during a period when prices of goods have failed to stabilize.”Therefore, I will cooperate with other consumer NGOs to fight for the right to controlled EPF withdrawals for the B40 so as not to inconvenience them,” he added. He also appealed to the media to be fair in providing balanced media coverage to him, as they do for PH Candidate Suhaizan Kaiat. “As an Independent Candidate from a Consumer NGO Body, I appeal to all media outlets to be fair and balanced for the sake of a suffering people. Please help me so that I can help all of you,” he pleaded.
