MUKAH: It is time for the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) to set up an office here for the benefit of thousands of contributors.
The nearest office is in Sibu, and it is learned that all this time — probably for decades as well — contributors had to travel to Sibu, some 160km away, to do any dealings.
A contributor has to go to Sibu just to obtain certain forms, such as application for partial withdrawal for house purchase or other purposes.
A contributor applying for this then returns to Sibu to submit the forms and supporting documents.
However, if there is a mistake in the forms or the supporting documents are incomplete, it is learned that EFP will not process the application until everything is cleared.
If this happens, the contributor has to make another trip to Sibu, which is obviously inconvenient and costly.
Nominees or next-of-kin of deceased contributors who wanted to make withdrawals may also have a similar experience.
It is hoped that EPF consider setting up an office or a service centre, just like the Mukah Inland Revenue Board Service Centre which was set up more than five years ago.
The only consolation EPF contributors enjoy here currently is the availability of statement printing at Mukah RHB Bank.
