KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 11): The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) board's new chairman Tan Sri Ahmad Badri Mohd Zahir said the handing-off of the baton to him in the EPF comes at a time when the global population is entering a new era of change and disruption and that his predecessor Tan Sri Samsudin Osman "has left behind big shoes to fill”.
Ahmad Badri, who penned his thoughts in the EPF's latest annual report 2019, said that before the world was even aware of the Covid-19 pandemic, people were only just beginning to make sense of the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on their way of life.
"Rapid advances in technology are pushing us into the exciting but uncertain future of a digitalised world, even as we continue to struggle with climate change, global political tensions, and economic challenges.
"In such times, there will be a desire for a continued source of stability,” he said.
For decades now, the EPF has been that pillar of strength and certainty for Malaysians, according to him.
As the country’s provident fund serving over 14.6 million members, the EPF’s mandate to safeguard their savings, no matter rain or shine, will help its members secure a better future.
"I have always known the EPF as successful in living up to the expectations of our stakeholders — members, employers, and our employees, and by extension, Malaysians.
"We owe our success to a strong chain of committed and capable people who have steered our organisation through many storms: from our wise board members, to our dedicated management, and not forgetting the real heroes — our staff. As we look to the future, I am confident that the EPF is more than able to build on its strengths to take on new capabilities and new directions to successfully achieve its vision.
"As our country expects and our members demand, we must continue with everything that we have done well, while improving and innovating to keep up with the times. All these, while ensuring our high standards of governance, transparency, and accountability are maintained. Together, we can and will bring the EPF to greater heights,” he said.
Ahmad Badri took over as EPF chairman on May 1, 2020 from Samsudin, who held the post from February 2007 to April 2020, according to the EPF’s annual report.
Describing Samsudin’s leadership, Ahmad Badri said his predecessor's leadership was one that was steady, assured, and pragmatic.
Ahmad Badri said: "I will strive to continue his legacy as we step into this new decade.”
Samsudin also shared his thoughts in the EPF’s latest annual report. He said the new decade has already proven to be unrelentingly volatile, and it is in this climate that he now leaves the EPF in the hands of his younger but certainly very capable colleagues.
According to Samsudin, he served the EPF since 2007, and the over 13 years he was with the pension fund as chairman had been a most privileged journey of national service and personal achievement.
"As I write this, the world has been further plunged into even more turbulence as nations entered into various states of economic lockdown to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
"Countries once thought strong and mighty have fallen to their knees as they scramble their resources and adapt their healthcare policies in order to save lives. Businesses have been severely impacted, and whole industries such as tourism, hospitality, and aviation have come to a complete standstill as countries closed their borders, rightly favouring the need for health and safety above the need for economic growth.
"I look back with much pride and I look forward with much confidence that the EPF will persevere and continue to be a beacon of stability through the decades to come,” Samsudin said.