THE Government should offer the Modified Universal Basic Income (MUBI) for those who have lost their jobs or had their salaries cut, for at least the one-year, allowing them to weather the economic downturn.
“The universal electricity rebate of RM0.02 per kWh. from Jan 1 until June 30, will cost about RM1.07 bil. The same amount could be used to provide 90,000 no-income households with RM1,000 per month for next one year.
“Clearly, MUBI is more efficient use of public resources in addressing poverty. The universal electricity rebate is largely enjoyed by well-capitalised corporates and wealthy households.
“Even the recent survey revealed how wealthy households abused Employees Provident Fund’s i-Sinar withdrawals to buy gold and stocks,” Parti Sosialis Malaysia central committee member Sharan Raj told FocusM.
Elaborating, the PSM leader said that based on the recent survey by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef) revealed how the urban poor are on the brink, due to the economic recession triggered by COVID-19.
Divert funds from overpaid MPs to finance MUBI
Sharan added that daily wage earners such as kitchen helpers, trishaw riders, tourist bus drivers and those doing odd-jobs to make a living, are in dire situations, with these informal workers unable to receive retrenchment support under the Employees Insurance Scheme from the Social Security Organisation (Socso) as well.
“Their economic misery will translate into lack of nutrition, school dropouts, mental health issues and domestic violence.
“The financial desperation will also force these vulnerable people to resort to loan sharks, or petty crimes to feed their families. It will be matter of time before loan-shark crimes increase substantially in Malaysia,” Sharan opined.
He added that the traditional populist measures such as free rice bags, hampers and the universal electricity discount is failing miserably as it was an outdated way of resolving issues.
“The failure is due to the serious mismatch in what households needs and the items handed out at the ground level,” he shared.
On that note, Sharan urged the Government to divert funds allocated to MPs to finance the MUBI programme, adding lawmakers are already being overpaid for doing little work.
“Consistent cash support through MUBI allows no-income people to purchase the necessary goods themselves at the local stores, which in turn, will boost domestic consumption and revitalise the economy,” he remarked. – Feb 13, 2021
