19/01/2024 (Malaysia) - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced today that the decision on the new chief executive officer for the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) would be made soon.
While addressing journalists at a resort, where Unity Government ministers were having a retreat, Anwar, who also serves as the Finance Minister, mentioned that several candidates' names had been submitted. However, he emphasized that the appointment required a thorough process involving multiple stages.
"As is customary, our appointments undergo screenings by various bodies including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), the Royal Malaysia Police, and Bank Negara. Sometimes, these processes can take a few weeks," he explained.
The EPF CEO position was vacant after Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, the former CEO, was appointed as Minister of Finance II in a Cabinet reshuffle on December 12.
Regarding the adjustments to the water tariff for domestic users in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan, set to take effect on February 1, Anwar stated that the Federal Government had agreed to the increase following requests from all states. He clarified that the decision came after discussions with the menteris besar and chief ministers.
Anwar noted, "There are states that haven't raised their tariffs for over 40 years... They proposed the increase, and the Federal Government concurred."
The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) had announced this adjustment the previous day, resulting in an average increase of 22 cents per cubic metre. SPAN justified the tariff adjustment as a necessary step to prevent jeopardizing the long-term sustainability of the water services industry and to maintain the quality of water supply services for the public.