EPF FLEXIBLE ACCOUNTS ENABLES ORANG ASLI TO PUT THEIR SAVINGS TO GOOD USE

GUA MUSANG, The recent introduction of the Flexible Account by the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has allowed the many Malaysians, including the Orang Asli community in Gua Musang to put part of their contributions to good use. Pos Tohoi resident Jelakyim Anas, 41, shared his plans of working a smallholding with cash crops like bananas and tapioca using his funds from the Flexible Account. "I started contributing in 2000 and expect that this part of the savings will be enough to be starting funds for my crops,' he told Bernama at the Galas constituency service centre in Bandar Utama here today. Norini Bahkuhoi, 34, from Kampung Merlong, Kuala Betis Planned Resettlement said she waited since 9 am in front of the EPF mobile counter here to check the total of her EPF contributions before going through the necessary process to make withdrawals from her Flexible Account. "I'll use the money to buy food, my children's school supplies and various other necessities. I do hope the Orang Asli community will make th e best choices in using the money they withdraw,' she added. Rihan Asup, 27, of the Temiar tribe from Kampung Depak, Pos Tohoi said he planned to start a grocery store if he managed to withdraw his Flexible Account savings, and thanked the government for allowing Malaysians to make such withdrawals. The EPF introduced the Flexible Account as part of its Account restructuring process effective May 11. The Flexible Account is a new account that provides the flexibility of a savings account Source: BERNAMA News Agency