[UPDATED] PM announces increases to BKM cash handouts: extra RM100 for households, RM50 for single individuals

KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has announced additional allocations for the Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia (BKM) financial aid to address the rising cost of living faced by Malaysians.

In a press conference today, Ismail Sabri said the government has decided to increase the BKM cash handout by RM100 for households and RM50 for single individuals from the B40 group.

The prime minister also said that the government had decided to abolish its temporary subsidy for bottled cooking oil as it failed to meet its original objective.

He said phase two of the BKM distribution involved a total of RM1.11 billion, with each recipient standing to receive up to RM500 depending on the category.

Ismail added that the handout also involved an additional allocation of RM630 million.

The payment, he said, will benefit a total of 8.6 million recipients from four million households, 1.2 million senior citizens, and 3.4 million single individuals.

Ismail, who is also Bera MP, said eligible recipients can check the status of the payments starting June 27.

“The handout will also reduce the financial burdens faced by the B40 group, especially during the upcoming Hari Raya Aidiladha festivities,” he said.

He added that its status can be checked on the Inland Revenue Board’s website.

“The government is always concerned with the current needs (of the people), especially with regards to the increase in the price of essential goods, and it will continue to be committed to ensuring the well-being of Malaysian families, especially the target groups,” he said.

Speaking at the live press conference here today, he said in contrast to the popular belief that overall subsidies for cooking oil had been abolished, the subsidy for packeted cooking oil, which has been in place since June 2007, is being maintained.

“The subsidy for bottled cooking oil at 1kg, 2kg, 3kg and 5kg which was initiated in August 2021 as a temporary measure during the Covid-19 (pandemic) was extended originally from initial three-month period.

“However, as the government extended this subsequently every three months, it was being misused and smuggled by various parties including industries, among others, prompting its cancellation,” he said.

At present, the subsidised packeted cooking oil price stands at RM2.50 per kg, while its unsubsidised price stands at RM9 per kg.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri also reiterated Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi’s earlier announcement that the ceiling price of chicken and chicken eggs will be terminated on July 1, and that this could result in a price hike. – The Vibes, June 22, 2022