PEKAN, Feb 26 — The first group of recipients of the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) hope the assistance will be continued in the future as it helps ease the burden of rising costs.
One of the recipients, Hayati Mohamad, 54, said in addition to expenses, the BR1M money received so far was also used as capital to start small businesses in the night market.
“Although for some people the aid is little, but to us it is very meaningful...I use this money for emergencies such as medical expenses for the children,” the single mother told Bernama when met after receiving the BR1M money here today.
A total of 2,000 residents from the Pekan parliamentary constituency were the first recipients of BRIM presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Convention Hall here.
Najib is also Pekan MP.
Also present were Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and Treasury Secretary-General Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah.
The first instalment of BR1M for this year will be disbursed today involving an allocation of RM6.3 billion to about seven million recipients nationwide, which will take place in three phases.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Faiz Hakimi Abdul Rahim, 29, who first applied for BR1M this year, said the difficulty in applying for BR1M online did not stop him from trying until his application was passed.
“I hope this assistance will be continued, although there are some who do not support it and say negative things about it,” said the general worker who works in a private company here.
A senior citizen, Maimun Alias, 60, said the aid was very helpful, especially to single mothers like her.
“People like me have no one to depend on...with the help of BRIM, some of my burden is eased and this also shows the government’s concern for the people. I hope the aid will be increased in the future,” she added.
BR1M payment was first introduced in 2012, with a payment of RM500 for households earning below RM3,000, followed by RM500 in 2013, 2014 (RM650), 2015 (RM950), 2016 (RM1,000), 2017 (RM1,200) and 2018 (RM1, 200).
Meanwhile, the Save Your Grocery Budget (Jimat Belanja Dapur) programme organised by the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) which was held in conjunction with the launch of BRIM at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Convention Hall here today, received overwhelming response from visitors.
The programme also caught the attention of the Prime Minister who conducted a survey at the site.
Fama’s corporate communications director Asmizal Jaafar said at today’s programme, Fama offered more than 27 daily necessities at a discount of between five and 20 per cent. — Bernama
