Ahmad signs the plaque when officiating at the EPF Sibu office. From left are Obed, Ting, Halim and Sazaliza.
SIBU (January 9): The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) in Sarawak will be equipped with three mobile trucks this year to conduct outreach programs in the state.
EPF Chairman Tan Sri Ahmad Badri Mohd Zahir said the program will focus on rural areas.
“The use of mobile trucks in this program will enable the Sarawak EPF team to provide more comprehensive and better services to communities in rural and densely populated areas.
“The EPF Sarawak outreach team will also receive two more four-wheel drive vehicles, three generator sets, two VSAT equipment and IT and non-IT equipment,” he said while officiating at the EPF Sibu office today.
Ahmad said the new equipment would help the EPF outreach team improve services to members and potential contributors.
“We hope that the equipment and resources provided will provide convenience and comfort, especially for our team in Sarawak who have to travel long distances to remote locations as part of the outreach program,” he said.
Among those attending the event were EPF Board Member Datuk Dr. Philip Ting, EPF Chief Executive Sazaliza Zainuddin, EPF Sarawak Regional Director Halim Boweng and EPF Sibu Director Obed George Gomes.
The EPF-Sibu office, which started operations on April 16, 1984, has been shining in new splendor since April 2021 after renovation work.
When met by reporters after the ceremony, Halim said the outreach program is expected to start in Bintulu in March.
He said the Kuching team will provide the services in Lubok Antu and Sri Aman, the Sibu team will cover Mukah and Kapit, while the Miri team will serve Bintulu and Belaga.
“This outreach program is being implemented as planned to reach out to informal or self-employed sectors such as farmers, fishermen and grab drivers so they can save for their old age,” he said.
Halim added the program also aims to encourage inactive members to become contributors again.
“Officials made contributions to the EPF early in their service before opting for a pension scheme and becoming inactive members after five years.
“We want to win them back to contributors through voluntary contributions so that they can save for retirement later,” he explained.
