{
  "id": 19589372,
  "title": "Govt studies extending i-Sayang scheme to foreign wives",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/govt-studies-extending-i-sayang-scheme-to-foreign-wives",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-12T02:56:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/11/1575958/govt-studies-extending-i-sayang-scheme-foreign-wives"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Malaysian government is currently evaluating a proposal to expand the i-Sayang scheme, a voluntary contribution program run by the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), to include foreign wives of Malaysian husbands. The proposal, which would allow non-citizen wives to receive transferred contributions from their Malaysian citizen husbands, is being carefully assessed by the Finance Ministry (MOF) to ensure it aligns with the original objectives of i-Sayang and the EPF's retirement savings policy framework.\n\nAs of August 31, 2026, approximately 233,371 Malaysian husbands have registered as contributors under the i-Sayang scheme, resulting in transfers to 233,547 wives' EPF accounts, totaling RM563.6 million. The MOF has stated that the proposal's implementation must be thoroughly evaluated, considering aspects such as retirement savings protection, legal and governance concerns, operational feasibility, and programme sustainability before any further consideration is given.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The government, through the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), will continue to study a proposal to expand the scope and coverage of the EPF i-Sayang scheme to allow Malaysian husbands to make voluntary contributions for their non-citizen wives.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Govt studies proposal to extend EPF i-Sayang scheme to non-citizen wives",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/govt-studies-proposal-to-extend-epf-i-sayang-scheme-to-non-citizen",
        "published": "2026-11-12T02:34:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}