KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 — Recipients of the I Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) should spend it wisely, says Treasury Secetary General Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah.
He stressed that the provision of BR1M for the people is intended to lighten their burden, particularly in the face of the rising cost of living.
“My hope is that the BR1M money will be used well, for example, to invest in the Amanah Saham Bumiputera or purchase household goods,” he told Bernama after being interviewed on the “Ruang Bicara” programme by Bernama TV here on Friday.
He said more than seven million Malaysians are expected to receive the aid.
The government has received 8.1 million applications and to date, 5.9 million for households and individuals have been approved, with the rest under process,” said Mohd Irwan.
Disbursement of the BR1M began from yesterday.
Asked about the government’s plan to reduce the income gap between the higher and lower groups, he said among the efforts being made is to have more technical training courses and re-skilling for the people.
“Malaysians keen on raising their income levels can enrol in the training programmes which are meant specifically for this purpose and have jobs that will ensure this,” he said. — Bernama
