LHDN, EPF Temporarily Close Several Branches And Service Counters In EMCO Areas

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

5th July 2021 - 4 min read

The Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) have both announced that they are temporarily closing several branches and service counters located in areas that are placed under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO). This decision from both entities is set take effect starting from today, and will continue until further notice.

Inland Revenue Board (LHDN)

With regard to the LHDN, this move will involve all tax services, stamp duty, and government special assistance counters. “All appointments that have been approved via e-Janji Temu have been cancelled and customers will have to apply for a new appointment when the counter reopens,” it said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the payment centre counters in these areas will continue to operate from 8am to 12pm on weekdays. “The services provided are cash and cheque payments for withholding tax, seniman kembara, real property gains tax remission, tax compound, and other tax-related payments. Payments for income tax and other taxes can be made by debit and credit cards while payments for other services can only be made online,” LHDN further clarified.

LHDN also said that customers in need of additional help can continue to use the HASiL Care Line and HASiL Live Chat service since these channels will operate as usual. The HASiL Care Line can be reached at 03-8911 1000 or 603-8911 1100 (overseas), between 9am to 4pm on Mondays to Fridays. The same schedule applies to the BPR Hotline (1800-88-2747) as well. The HASiL Live Chat, meanwhile, operates from 9am to 5pm, on Mondays to Fridays.

Finally, customers in areas that are not placed under EMCO can continue to make their appointments via LHDN’s e-Janji Temu portal if they need to visit any of the LHDN branch offices or service centres.

Employees Provident Fund (EPF)

As for the EPF, as many as 10 EPF office branches and service counters are affected by this temporary closure, namely:

EPF Rawang
EPF Shah Alam
EPF Petaling Jaya
EPF Puchong
EPF Klang
EPF Kajang
EPF Gombak
EPF Kuantan
EPF Jerantut
EPF Pekan

Accordingly, all prior Janji Temu Online appointments during this period of EMCO will be cancelled with immediate effect. “Members are required to reschedule their visits to a later date after the EMCO period is over, if there is a need to be present in person at an EPF branch,” said the board in a statement.

The EPF also emphasised that appointments made for selected withdrawal applications will be given priority when the offices reopen. These applications include withdrawals for age 50, 55, and 60, as well as for those for incapacitation and death.

Additionally, the relevant EPF branches will reach out to members who have applied for withdrawals and are waiting for their money via payment order (PO) and banker’s cheque. The members will be able to arrange for the PO pickup or for the completion of the transaction at their preferred EPF branch.

Meanwhile, other EPF services and transactions – such as withdrawal application for housing and ages 50, 55, and 60 – can be done via i-Akaun during this period. Any authentication processes that require fingerprint verification will, however, only be carried out after the end of the EMCO.

“The EPF will continue to take precautionary measures based on standard operating procedures (SOPs) at our offices to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, where the health and safety of all members and staff are the priority,” said the provident fund.

Members who require help can contact the EPF at 03-8922 6000 or reach out to the provident board via its social media or official website. Members with enquiries about the i-Citra facility, on the other hand, can call a dedicated hotline at 03-8922 4848.

EPF offices in areas that are not placed under EMCO, on the other hand, will be operating from 8.30am to 2pm on weekdays for selected services only. They are also required to schedule their appointments beforehand if they wish to be present physically at the offices.

(Sources: LHDN, EPF)

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Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Previously covered recruitment-related stories and had a short stint as a copywriter for the property industry. She subsequently developed an interest in investment and robo-advisors.

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