KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM44.2 million has been withdrawn by contributors from the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) Akaun Sejahtera since the i-Lindung programme was introduced in July 2022, up until September this year, according to Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying. She stated that during this period, 144,589 EPF members benefited from the initiative, which allows them to withdraw funds to purchase life insurance and critical illness coverage under the i-Lindung programme.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Lim mentioned that starting from February 2024, the EPF has enhanced the second phase of the i-Lindung programme under the member protection plan. This phase enables EPF members to use their savings to purchase conventional and takaful insurance products for life protection and critical illness coverage for their immediate family members.

Lim responded to a question from Chiew Choon Man (PH-Miri) about whether the EPF would strengthen the i-Lindung programme through subsidies and negotiations with insu
rance companies. She noted that the government welcomed Chiew’s suggestion to empower the programme to offer medical coverage at a reasonable rate up to the age of 99.

Lim emphasized that the primary objective of the EPF is to provide a retirement savings fund that ensures the financial well-being of the people after retirement.