The PM, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim promised an announcement that would make every Malaysian happy. And we each got RM100.
But imagine if that entire budget had been used to top up EPF accounts for the 6.3 million contributors with less than RM10,000. That would’ve been bold, targeted, and actually something to cheer about.
Why a top-up? Because 6.3 million EPF contributors have less than RM10K in their accounts. That’s not a safety net, but crisis waiting to happen. A targeted injection would be a long-overdue step toward rebuilding dignity and security for millions.
Splitting EPF savings between urgent needs and retirement isn’t new. But EPF was never meant to patch over daily struggles. It was built for retirement. The real issues are low wages & policy choices that forced people to dip in early. Any serious reform must start with raising real wages.
Retirement shouldn’t mean poverty. To make the system stable, there must be regular top-ups from the government, employers, & through broader social protection schemes. Without fresh contributions, no retirement model can survive
Just look at Singapore. Their CPF system is built on more than just mandatory savings & includes employer contributions and regular top-ups by the state, especially for low-income workers and seniors.
It’s a system designed to support people through retirement, not leave them scrambling to survive. That’s the difference: long-term thinking versus short-term patchwork.
It’s time for thoughtful, fair reform; one that aligns policy with the realities people face. Don’t just redesign the EPF. Rebuild the foundation, so every Malaysian has a real chance at retiring with dignity and security. – August 5, 2025
Charles Santiago is former Klang MP