By Emmanuel Samarathisa
TARGETED cash handouts may be implemented in the upcoming stimulus package, sources familiar with the matter tell FocusM on condition of anonymity.
These measures include increasing the quantum of Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) – a cash aid for households with a monthly income of RM4,000 or less – as well as a subsistence allowance for school pupils and university students, they said.
Details, at the time of writing, remain scant, including the mechanics of these payouts as well as the possibility of a further discount on utility bills and rentals.
Putrajaya is expected to unveil more measures tomorrow (Friday) as per Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s speech yesterday.
The earlier stimulus package kicked in on Feb 27 under then interim prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad amounting to RM20 bil.
The older measures do address BSH recipients by way of bringing forward its May payout of RM200 to March.
An additional RM100 would also be deposited into the bank accounts of BSH beneficiaries in May as well as an extra RM50 would be channelled to them in the form of e-tunai or e-wallet credits.
In his speech yesterday, Muhyiddin said he would announce a “more comprehensive” fiscal stimulus measure, following an extension of the Movement Control Order until April 14.
Muhyiddin assured Malaysians that “no one will be left behind” in the upcoming package, hinting that it would “benefit” a wide range of people. – March 26, 2020
