KUALA LUMPUR: Claims regarding a prohibition on withdrawals from the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) for haj purposes are false and malicious, Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said.
Lim said her special officer, Lim Swee Kuan, has filed a police report to allow authorities to take stern action against individuals who intentionally manipulate information.
She added that the spread of false news has the potential to stir sensitive issues related to race, religion, and royalty (3R), which could threaten national harmony.
She said the police involvement is crucial to ensure that this false news is stopped immediately.
"I would like to reiterate and as mentioned during the Dewan Rakyat proceedings on Oct 28, the EPF's Akaun Sejahtera can be utilised by prospective haj pilgrims under the age of 55, subject to certain conditions.
"This procedure has been in effect since 2013, regardless of who is in power," she said in a statement today.
Lim also urged all parties, especially social media users, to verify the accuracy of information before sharing it.
"The reckless pursuit of attention, without regard for the negative consequences, can create unnecessary divisions, especially when religious and racial issues are exploited irresponsibly.
"As such, everyone, including social media users, the mass media and authorities, must work together to curb the spread of false information that could damage the unity and harmony of the nation.
"Let us maintain a harmonious community for the good of the country," she said.
Lim during the oral question and answer session on Monday (Oct 28), said the government does not allow any withdrawals, including for haj purposes, from EPF's Akaun Persaraan, previously known as Account 1.
This is to ensure that members have basic savings of at least RM240,000 to ensure survival during retirement.
The members, however, are allowed to make withdrawals for other purposes such as housing, life insurance, critical illness, education, health (critical illness and fertility), as well as withdrawals at the age of 50 through and haj via Akaun Sejahtera, previously known as Account 2.
She said since the introduction of Akaun Sejahtera in 2013, a total of 6,070 haj withdrawal applications from the account, previously known as Account 2, have been approved with a total withdrawal amount of RM16.7 million.
She said this was equivalent to an average of RM2,759 per application. Lim added that the amount that can be withdrawn from the account is the difference between the total pilgrimage cost and the member's Tabung Haji savings account balance at the time of accepting the offer.
This, she said, however, was subject to a maximum amount of RM3,000 or the account balance, whichever is lower.