Man embarks on JB-Istana Negara walk to demand EPF withdrawal By N Faizal Ghazali

This all started when Mamak wanted to have a 70 million population for Malaysia

That's the attitude of most who has been "tongkated" from cradle to grave

Malaysiakini : Taxi driver Noorazlan Ismail has embarked on a mission to walk for more than 300km from Johor Bahru to Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur, to urge the government to allow another round of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) withdrawal.

He said the walk was his way of pleading with the government, and the prime minister, to look at the suffering of people like him. "This is crazy, I know. But I have to do this for my family and children," the 49-year-old told Malaysiakini today. Noorazlan set out on the task last night and was near Yong Peng, Batu Pahat when contacted. 

"Let me brave this tiring journey, but this is my struggle for my children's future," he said. Noorazlan used to work as a driver for a businessperson but lost his job during the Covid-19 pandemic. He then started to drive a taxi to support his family. The father of five school-going children lamented that he was burdened by debts and the rising cost of living, which the withdrawal could help in alleviating his suffering.

Last month, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stressed that the government will not allow another special EPF withdrawal.

WhiteLlama4337 : This is a sad example of how affirmative action for the majority Malay Muslim has gone wrong. After almost 4 decades of policies meant to alleviate poverty you have examples of some Malaysians who don't even understand the importance of having a savings for their old age and instead they have a 'me me - it's all about me' mindset.

To make matters worse, they use their children to showcase how sad their lives are. You choose to have kids so don't expect sympathy now. There are too many Malays like this silly man who believe they are entitled to EPF withdrawals just because they want it now.

Hello kawan - you boleh tak kerja setiap hari macam orang lain? Many others are toiling away working several jobs, cutting down on expenditure, making sacrifices to make ends meet. The other day I spoke to a grab driver- a Malay man in his 60s working 12 to 14 hours a day so that he has enough for Hari Raya celebration. Respect that man instead of this drama king - walking to Istana, konon.

Vent : Guess when you are looked after from womb to tomb you won't know how to make money or how to keep it. And 5 children? Perhaps manna will fall from the sky when he's walking! I wonder if the Man in the Sky is listening?

Geram : Malaysia punya Forest Grum. Kalau tak manpu jaga 5 orang anak, jangan gatal sangat.

LoveMyCountry : They were taught to wait for free money from Kerajaan. He was the product of NEP. Go see Pagoh....he has lot of money. Lazy fella...go find a job. . Malaysia has 3 million foreign workers... some of them earning 3k to 5k a month. He only cannot find a job?

MerdekaMerdekaMerdeka : It’s unfortunate that you need to resort to this, Noorazlan. But this will note help in anyway with your objective. The EPF was not set for such situations as yours or as an emergency fund.

Imagine if the millions of rakyat out there with a similar predicament as yours are allowed to make withdrawals.. we’d have the same millions living in squalor, in destitution even.

Being a Muslim, isn’t there zakat programs/aid for those who qualify? Have you looked at other options? Sought help of your community, MP, local NGOs, state agencies, etc. But persevere.

WTB : Instead of walk 300km, better use the time to drive grab to earn extra money, dude.

VioletEagle6715 : honestly,you should just use the time & energy of walking, into for grab driving. I'm sure you can earn more than your current EPF Saving.

I AM A MALAYSIAN : This is a sensible advice for Noorazlan. Many are able to sustain a decent living as a daily cab driver, so can this man, although he might need to work harder with 5 children to feed.

And I wonder how much Noorazlan has in his EPF account to alleviate his financial distress he claims to be now in, and what about his retirement 11 years from now if after withdrawal, there is little to nothing left in his EPF? Can his children support the father financially then?

Read the rest of the unsympathetic comments here.....