Putin meets ‘dear friend’ Xi in Kremlin as Ukraine war grinds on
Vladimir Putin and his “dear friend” Chinese leader Xi Jinping planned more talks on Tuesday after a Kremlin dinner where the isolated Russian president curried favour with his most powerful ally in the face of Western opposition to the war in Ukraine.
Coming just days after an international court accused Putin of war crimes, Washington denounced Xi’s visit, saying it showed Beijing was providing Moscow with “diplomatic cover” to commit more crimes.
Making his first trip abroad since obtaining an unprecedented third term earlier this month, Xi has been trying to portray Beijing as a potential peacemaker in Ukraine, even as he deepens economic ties with his closest ally.
Anwar: Proposal to use EPF savings as bank loan collateral not against EPF Act
The proposal to allow Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members to use their savings as collateral for bank loans does not breach Section 51 of the EPF Act, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the government had checked with EPF and the Attorney-General for legal advice on this matter.
He said this method of applying for bank loans would not jeopardise the interests of EPF members because they would continue receiving dividends on the savings used as collateral.
