EPF for housewives for first wife only, says Wan Azizah

(The Star) – The Government’s addition of RM50 for each contribution to the proposed pension scheme for housewives will only cover the first wife in the event of a polygamous marriage.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (pic) said the contribution will not be extended to second, third and/or fourth wives.

“According to our religious beliefs, it is the husband’s responsibility to ensure they are financially able to support another wife. Why should the Government be responsible for that instead,” she said.

“The Government’s contribution is to further secure the future of housewives and their children in the event the family’s breadwinner is struck by untoward incidents,” she said in response to Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Ghazali (PAS – Kuala Nerus) in Parliament on Wednesday (July 18).

The proposed scheme is Dr Wan Azizah’s brainchild, under which 2% will be transferred from a husband’s Employees Provident Fund (EPF) account to cover the housewife.

Dr Wan Azizah, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said a memorandum on the scheme was ready and will be brought up in the next Cabinet meeting.

The scheme will take effect in stages within Pakatan Harapan’s first 100 days in government, starting with a voluntary contribution which will later be made mandatory with amendments to the EPF Act and Social Security Organisation (Socso) Act.