i-Sinar: Praises for automatic approval, yet some members still confused

The list of categories was published on EPF social media today after it announced the criteria and details for the i-Sinar facility last Wednesday.

A housewife, Kamilia Mohd, 28, said the approach would facilitate the people and she, for one, doesn’t have to face complicated procedures to withdraw her money from EPF.

“My husband is self-employed and his income was affected since the Movement Control Order was enforced in March because he wasn't able to conduct his business and the current income is also not as good as before.

“So, with this i-Sinar programme and myself as a housewife, even though I did not contribute for almost 10 years, we can still withdraw the money and help our family without undergoing complicated procedures,” she told Bernama today.

For a school van driver Noria Rashid, 45, she described the automatic approval as providing some hope for the group whose income was badly impacted by the school closure.

Noria said, at present, she has to sell homemade ice-cream as an alternative source of income after the schools were closed due to the Conditional Movement Control Order imposed in Kuala Lumpur since Oct 14.

“I’ve heard of i-Sinar but I didn't know that schools bus operators can get automatic approval. If it’s true, God-willing, I will apply for it. At least, we can survive for a while before the school reopens and we can resume our operations,” she added.

An independent scriptwriter Ayuni Zamani, 36, shared the same views and said the facility provided some comfort to those who need to pay their commitments which have been overdue.

She said even though the withdrawal amount was not that much but it would somehow assist the people in local film and drama industry which have been impacted by COVID-19.

Meanwhile, a check by Bernama at EPF offices around the city centre found that many contributors chose to meet EPF officers to get further explanation on the i-Sinar facility.

They said besides providing them with details, it could also avoid confusion as there were allegations that the withdrawal process was complicated.

Zahari Shamsudin, 36, a trader who falls under category one of i-Sinar, expressed his relief with the explanation from EPF officer on the withdrawal process.

“On social media, there are too many information and sometimes confusing. So, I came here to discuss with EPF officer,” he said.

A food delivery rider, Amirul Amir Ismail, 30, also took the opportunity to visit EPF office to find out whether he is eligible to apply for the RM10,000 withdrawal under i-Sinar.

The former hotel employee said the withdrawal could ease his burden after he was laid off in July.

“The EPF staff also give me financial management advice for the money that I will take out later,” he said.

Mohd Nasrul Naim, 39, however, said EPF should list out all eligible categories that would get automatic approval as many members were still puzzled over the implementation of the programme.

“When there is no explanation, contributors will get confused and have to go to EPF offices to seek clarification. This has caused difficulties not only to contributors but the EPF as well,” said the restaurant owner.

Previously, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz announced that EPF i-Sinar facility was opened to eight million members compared with two million initially, while the maximum amount that can be taken out has been raised from RM9,000 to RM10,000 if their savings in Account 1 is less than RM90,000, involving an allocation of RM70 billion.