KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 4 (Bernama) -- Opposition lawmaker Wan Ahmad Fayshal Wan Ahmad Kamal should do his research to gain a better understanding of the recent announcement regarding the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) dividends, said Sungai Petani Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Taufiq Johari.
Dr Taufiq was responding to comments made by Bersatu's Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayshal, who raised questions about the total payout of RM73.24 billion, which nearly utilises the entirety of EPF's RM74.46 billion investment income for 2024.
According to Dr Taufiq the statement by Wan Ahmad Fayshal is not only an unreasonable attempt to dampen the EPF dividend announcement but is trying to play some political game to confuse the rakyat.
"The EPF dividend announcement of 6.3 per cent for conventional and Syariah savings is good news for the country. It is the highest rate announced since 2017 and is a cause for celebration.
"He and his party mates don't want to admit that the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is doing a better job of managing the economy," he said today in a statement, here today.
Dr Taufiq said the MADANI government is better at managing the economy, as seen in higher EPF dividends, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, and record Foreign Direct Investment, surpassing the poor results of previous governments that Wan Ahmad Fayshal was part of.
Commenting further, the Sungai Petani MP said Wan Ahmad Fayshal should do his research because a similar principle was used during the Perikatan Nasional (PN) era, except with lower dividends to reach the people.
"For example, in 2022, the investment income was RM55 billion, and RM51 billion was paid out in dividends. So, what is the difference in principle?
He said the main difference is the lower numbers because for 2022, EPF declared a dividend rate of 5.35 per cent for Conventional Savings and 4.75 per cent for Syariah Savings.
On Mac 1, the EPF announced a dividend rate of 6.30 pct for conventional savings with a total dividend distribution of RM63.05 billion and 6.30 pct for Shariah Savings with a total distribution of RM10.19 billion.
The total dividend distribution in 2024 is RM73.24 billion, the highest since 2017.
-- BERNAMA
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