LETTER | First of all, I am genuinely pleased that the EPF has announced a fantastic dividend of 6.3 percent for its members.

This is excellent news for retirees like me. I take pride in seeing our homegrown institution continue to deliver such strong results, outperforming other pension funds and even private unit trusts.

However, as a Malaysian who relies on the EPF for my retirement savings, I am deeply concerned about recent attempts to drag the EPF into political disputes.

Politicising the EPF - particularly by questioning its dividend decisions - threatens the very institution that has safeguarded Malaysians’ retirement savings for decades.

The EPF’s independence is its greatest strength; its sole focus must remain on delivering stable returns, free from political interference.

I have been an EPF member since I started working in the 1970s, and in all that time, the fund has largely remained free of scandals or corporate mismanagement.

Our forefathers were wise in ensuring that the EPF is governed by strict laws, such as the EPF Act 1991, and adheres to global standards to protect our hard-earned savings.

Initially, I was surprised to see how many board members the EPF has, but I later understood that these stakeholder representatives serve with the primary aim of safeguarding our funds.

Politicians must stop using the EPF as a punching bag. Undermining confidence in the institution does not just harm the EPF - it harms people like me.

When politicians cast doubt on institutions, panic follows. Remember the rush to withdraw from other funds such as Tabung Haji during the 1MDB crisis?

If similar distrust spreads to the EPF, members like me - who depend on these savings for retirement - will bear the consequences.

To our leaders: Debate policies, but stop weaponising the EPF. Its credibility is not a political tool - it is the lifeline for 16 million Malaysians.

Scrutinise the EPF? Definitely! But do so constructively, with facts - not rumours. Hold it accountable to us, the members, not to partisan agendas.

The EPF is a legacy of prudence. Let us honour that by keeping it focused on what truly matters: ensuring every Malaysian can retire with dignity.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.