MARAN: Deputy Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib yesterday slammed the opposition for playing up political sentiments on the three per cent reduction in employee’s contribution to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) under the recalibration of the 2016 Budget.
He said the opposition should be rational in giving comments as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had given due consideration before recalibrating the budget to ensure the move benefited the people.
“But for the opposition, nothing is right. If we want to be angry with the government, we have to adhere to proper reasoning…but they are never thankful to the government.
“So if the matter is positive, admit it and say it is good. If there are weaknesses, criticise but do not deny things that are good,” he told reporters here, yesterday.
Ismail made the comments after presenting Social Security Organisation (Socso) contribution of RM6,500 to Ahmad Azizi Abdul Halim, 33, who is in a coma following a motorcycle accident on Nov 4 while on the way to work in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
Also present at the presentation at Ahmad Aziz’s family home in Kampung Jengka, 13th Mile, here, were Pahang Socso director Zainal Ismail and Chenor state assemblyman Datuk Arifin Awang Ismail.
Ismail was commenting on a statement by Balakong state assemblyman Eddie Ng Tien Chee who was reported by a pro-opposition portal as alleging that the reduction in the rate (employee’s contribution) was only benefiting the federal government with better collection of Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Ismail also commended the initiative of the National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN) which targeted 50 per cent learning activities at its facilities to be conducted in English in five years as announced as Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin yesterday.
He said the importance of English could not be denied to build a younger generation with the potential to become skilled workers in line with the government’s target to create 50 per cent skilled workers by 2020.
Commenting on Socso, Ismail, who is also Maran MP, said Socso had spent RM34.51 million on rehabilitation equipment for accident victims in 2015.
“We also have a rehabilitation centre in Air Keroh, Melaka which has effectively assisted accident victims to adjust themselves so that they would be gainfully employed,” he said. — Bernama