KUALA LUMPUR – The closing date for new registrations and updates for the Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat scheme (BPR) has been extended to February 25, said Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.
He said in a statement today this was to ensure that those eligible receive the cash-aid amid the movement control order (MCO) implemented in most parts of the country.
Those who need to make new applications are those who have never received the Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) 2020 or the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) B40, and whose household incomes are RM5,000 and below per month.
“This includes newly vulnerable groups, who are eligible to apply following a change in their income status, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“With the process for new registrations and updates in place, some of those whose applications were not approved and never received the BPR still have a chance to submit their applications for verification again,” he said.
BSH 2020 and BPN B40 recipients who were successful previously need not make a new registration or updates if there are no changes to their information.
Tengku Zafrul said the first phase of the BPR payment would be expedited to the end of this month as announced under the RM15 billion Malaysian Economic and Rakyat's Protection Assistance Package (Permai) on Jan 18, while payment under phase 2 is expected to be made in early May.
Thus far, the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) has received almost 550,000 new applications that need to be verified and cross-checked in the system.
The process also involves 25 government agencies, including the National Registration Department and IRB to ensure only those eligible actually receive the direct cash injection.
BPR applicants can refer to the frequently asked questions on the official BPR portal for more details. – Bernama, February 14, 2021
