06/03/2026

FRIDAY | MAR 6, 2026

4 ‘EPF basic savings of RM390,000 achievable’

Security issues should not be used as political capital: NSC KUALA LUMPUR: Security issues should not be used as political capital, but resolved through bipartisan agreements to ensure the country’s stability and sovereignty continue to be preserved from elements of foreign influence. National Security Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Raja Nurshirwan Zainal Abidin stressed that Malaysia’s future lies in the hands of its people and the government, not external forces. He said strengthening internal resilience is crucial to ensure the country is not easily destabilised by foreign parties attempting to exploit differences in local political ideologies. “There must be consensus at all levels of society, particularly among the political elite, that security is an issue that should not be politicised,” he said during the Bicara Naratif: Dimensi Baharu Keselamatan Negara programme which was aired on RTM on Wednesday night. Raja Nurshirwan added that the federal government’s approach to national security transcends party political boundaries. He also said the council’s daily operations remain critical in safeguarding the country’s trade and economic value chain, particularly amid global conflicts such as tensions in West Asia that could trigger inflationary pressures. – Bernama PJ among highest in special education teacher-student ratio KUALA LUMPUR: Petaling Jaya is among the areas with the highest ratio of special education teachers to students, the Dewan Negara was told yesterday. Education Deputy Minister Wong Kah Woh said the situation was the case in several districts, despite the overall teacher-student ratio nearing the target of one teacher for 6.5 students. He said the ministry has outlined short and long-term measures to increase the number of special education teachers. “As a short-term measure, the ministry has introduced the Special Education Exposure Course for mainstream teachers interested in joining the special education programme.” He was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Dr Mohd Hatta Md Ramli on the government’s readiness to address teacher shortages across different localities, including through private sector collaboration. For the long-term measure, Wong said recruitment was being done through the Teachers Education Institute via the five-year Bachelor of Teaching degree programme, in addition to appointments on a contract of service basis according to need. – Bernama alongside PN. “What is certain is that all our MPs remain in the opposition bloc with PN.” Wan Saiful was expelled from Bersatu after he was accused of masterminding the collection of statutory declarations among Bersatu division leaders seeking for Hamzah to take over the party leadership from President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Following months of intense power struggle, Hamzah and his men were expelled from Bersatu due to a breach of the party’s constitution – Clause 9.1.4 which requires Bersatu members to comply with the party’s constitution as well as its Code of Ethics and Conduct. However, recently, Muhyiddin also accused Hamzah of holding a secret meeting with Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to negotiate without Bersatu’s knowledge or permission. This, and numerous other alleged offences led the Bersatu disciplinary board to expel Hamzah and his faction, explained Muhyiddin.

o Retirement amount to support prudent lifestyle possible with disciplined and consistent contributions

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: About 60% of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members could reach the basic savings level estimated at around RM390,000 by age 60 – if they continue contributing consistently and maintain their retirement accounts, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. He said as of the end of last year, only 3.1 million or 41.2%, of active Malaysians aged 18 to 55 in the formal sector have reached the basic savings benchmark for their age, up from 30% in 2022. “This leaves 4.42 million or 58.8% of formal sector members still short of the minimum savings target needed to ensure adequate funds for retirement,” he said during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Negara yesterday. Amir Hamzah was replying to a supplementary question from Senator Datuk Ng Keng Heng regarding the government’s official estimate of the percentage of citizens who are expected not to reach the sufficient minimum savings level by retirement age in the next 10 to 20 years. He said the government, through the EPF, is committed to curbing the erosion of basic retirement savings caused by early withdrawals by introducing the Retirement Income Adequacy (RIA) benchmark. “RIA serves as a guide for members to assess the sufficiency of their savings before making withdrawals, promoting more prudent long-term financial planning. “Several initiatives are also ongoing to boost savings, including account restructuring through flexible accounts, encouraging voluntary contributions and active promotion of programmes such as i-Simpan, i-Saraan and i-Topup.” Amir Hamzah also highlighted that the number of active employers registered with the EPF rose 4.2% to 640,391 in 2025, up from 614,563 in 2024. PETALING JAYA: “We have yet to decide on the steps to be taken by MPs and assemblymen supporting us. This requires careful consideration as it involves the anti-hopping law.” This was the statement made by Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan to theSun yesterday when he provided an update on the ongoing negotiations to take over Parti Keluarga Malaysia. Wan Saiful was expelled from Bersatu and was part of a faction led by former Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin. Wan Saiful, who was a former Supreme Council member and was sacked before Hamzah, said discussions have progressed smoothly and are now at an advanced stage, with only several technical matters left to iron out before a final decision is made. “ Alhamdulillah, negotiations have gone well and we are at the final stage. There are only a few Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Amir Hamzah said as of the end of last year, only 3.1 million of active Malaysians aged 18 to 55 in the formal sector have reached the basic savings benchmark for their age. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

technical issues to resolve. As this is a new party, certain matters need to be settled first.” Wan Saiful also said Parti Keluarga Malaysia has yet to be registered but they are moving towards it. This had been confirmed by Registrar of Societies (ROS) director-general Datuk Zulfikar Ahmad who said Parti Keluarga Malaysia’s initial application to register as a political party was rejected by the ROS in 2022, as it did not meet the requirements set out under the First Schedule of the Societies Act 1966. Wan Saiful added that efforts are underway to conclude the talks as soon as possible, due to the growing curiosity among supporters at the grassroots level. “We are working to finalise the negotiations in the near future. Our supporters have started asking questions, so we will expedite the process. Once everything is concluded, we will make an official announcement. I hope our supporters can remain patient and wait for the announcement.” He added that contributions from formal sector employees also increased, rising 3.3% to 8.2 million in 2025 from 7.9 million the previous year. “Meanwhile, median salaries for active formal-sector Malaysian members climbed 6.3% to RM2,764 compared with RM2,600 in 2024. These positive trends helped push annual EPF contributions from Malaysian members to RM120 billion in 2025, a 12% increase from RM107.1 billion in 2024.” Amir Hamzah said to strengthen the RIA, EPF has rolled out several key initiatives, including the addition of RM15.7 billion to retirement accounts since May 2024, following an increase in the contribution allocation from 70% to 75%. He added that by Dec 2025, 364,000 members had registered for i-Topup contributions, allowing them to contribute beyond the statutory rate. Meanwhile, 187,000 spouses participated in the i-Sayang programme, with total transfers reaching RM371.3 million. “Voluntary contributions also saw significant growth, with 687,000 members

However, Wan Saiful stressed that no decision has been made regarding the course of action for MPs and state assemblymen citing legal implications under the anti-party hopping provisions. He added that there is no immediate urgency for elected representatives to make a move. “Even if MPs and assemblymen do not join immediately, it is not an issue as we have time until the dissolution of the legislative bodies. What is more important is for supporters and machinery members to come in first to begin preparations.” On speculation whether the group would formally align itself with Perikatan Nasional (PN), Wan Saiful said any definitive decision can only be made after the process of joining the new party is completed. “Whether or not we join PN can only be decided after our entry into the new party is finalised.” Nonetheless, he reaffirmed that all MPs aligned with him remain in the opposition bloc contributing RM15.25 billion under i-Simpan without government incentives, while i-Saraan contributions hit RM3.97 billion from 720,056 members, a 50.8% increase from 2024, accompanied by an 80.1% rise in government incentives to RM206.75 million.” Amir Hamzah said despite the improvement, retirement savings adequacy has yet to fully recover, particularly after the RM146 billion in Covid-19-related withdrawals that affected members’ savings. He emphasised that EPF is stepping up awareness campaigns to urge members to opt for monthly withdrawals instead of full lump sum withdrawals, which could reduce income after retirement. “Retirees are encouraged to avoid withdrawing their savings in a lump sum. Monthly withdrawals allow remaining balances to continue earning annual dividends, leveraging compounding to ensure funds last longer during retirement. Strengthening retirement savings requires sustained, long-term efforts to secure the wellbeing of Malaysians in their post-working years.”

Negotiations on Parti Keluarga Malaysia ongoing