PM announces RM10b cash handouts for B40, M40 starting April

CORONAVIRUS | Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has announced cash handouts totaling some RM10 billion for the lower-income B40 and middle-income M40 groups in view of the Covid-19 crisis.

He said households earning less than RM4,000 per month would receive RM1,600 in total. RM1,000 would be paid in April and the balance in May.

Whereas households earning between RM4,000 and RM8,000 would receive RM1,000. A total of RM500 would be paid in April and the remainder in May.

Muhyiddin said single individuals earning less than RM2,000 a month would get RM800. A sum of RM500 in April and RM300 in May.

According to the premier, RM500 has also been allocated for single individuals earning more than RM2,000 a month, where RM250 would be paid in April and another RM250 in May.

Meanwhile, tertiary students will receive a one-off handout of RM200 to be paid in May.

For Malaysians receiving Cost of Living Aid (BSH), the remaining payments will be made in July.

Aid for frontliners, pensioners

Muhyiddin, in announcing the handouts as part of a comprehensive Covid-19 stimulus package, also assured that the government will work with NGOs and social entrepreneurs to ensure that vulnerable groups such as the elderly, disabled, homeless and Orang Asli will get food aid.

Earlier, the prime minister announced that medical frontliners will have their special allowances increased from RM400 to RM600 beginning April until the end of the pandemic.

Security forces at the frontlines will also be getting a RM200 special allowance beginning April until the outbreak is under control.

Government servants Grade 56 and below, including contract workers, will be getting a one-off RM500 payment in April. Pensioners will also be receiving the same amount.

PPR, public housing rent exemptions

Meanwhile, the government has agreed to extend the rental exemption for People's Housing Project (PPR) flats for six months beginning April. This includes those under rent-to-own schemes.

Rental for public housing in Kuala Lumpur will also be exempted for six months.

Muhyiddin urged other state governments to give the same exemptions to their PPR schemes and public housing tenants.

Government-owned premises including school canteents, day cares, cafeterias and others will also be exempted from rental payments for six months.

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