The memorandum was handed to a representative of Istana Negara.
The group, Pertubuhan Aktivis Rakyat Malaysia (ProRakyat) wants the government to allow a one-off RM10,000 withdrawal by EPF members from their own contribution to the retirement fund.
Khairul Othman, a spokesman for the group, said many people have suffered from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and recent floods.
“So many people have lost their income due to the pandemic or suffered heavy losses due to the floods.
“Some have just begun new jobs and need extra cash to start off while others must fork out to repair all the damage to their flood-hit homes,” he told the media gathered outside Istana Negara after presenting the memorandum.
According to Khairul, although the EPF would benefit contributors in the long-term, the current situation was an exceptional one.
“The funds belong to the contributors, so it is only fair to allow them to withdraw their own EPF funds for urgent use.”
He added that the group had gotten over 100,000 signatures from EPF contributors in support of the memorandum.
The group also called for the resignation of finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz after he disallowed further withdrawals from the retirement saving fund.
Khairul said Tengku Zafrul must be replaced with someone who had the interest of the public in mind and did not support “cronies”.
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