KUALA LUMPUR (March 13): The Employees Provident Fund has barred a total of 2,257 company directors from leaving Malaysia in 2025 over unpaid retirement contributions for their employees.
The latest names were submitted to the Immigration Department of Malaysia between January and December last year, the pension fund also known as EPF said in a statement. The EPF now has 14,332 directors on the travel ban list.
“Employers who fail to fulfil their statutory obligation to pay EPF contributions may result in enforcement action, including civil proceedings, criminal prosecution and restrictions on leaving the country,” said EPF chief operating officer Sazaliza Zainuddin.
Section 39(1)(a) of the Employees Provident Fund Act 1991 allows authorities to impose travel restrictions on company directors, partners or sole proprietors who fail to remit mandatory contributions for their employees.
Employers are legally required to ensure workers’ contributions are paid in full and on time under Section 43(1) of the Act. Release of travel restrictions will only be considered by the EPF if the individuals involved have settled the outstanding EPF contribution payments owed by their entities.
The EPF said 8,868 cases of contribution arrears were resolved last year following enforcement and legal action. The EPF received 21,029 complaints from employees, out of which 12,161 cases are still under investigation or subject to legal proceedings.
The EPF urged members to regularly check their accounts through its i-Akaun platform to confirm that employer contributions are credited accurately and on time, and to report any discrepancy with supporting employment documents.
EPF also encouraged employers to review their payment records via the i-Akaun (Employer) portal and address any outstanding contribution issue promptly.