KUALA LUMPUR – Assistance channelled under Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia (BKM) is the largest direct cash assistance in the country’s history compared to Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) and Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH), said Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.
In a statement issued today, Tengku Zafrul said, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob recently, BKM Phase 2 has been beefed-up with additional cash assistance worth RM630 million, bringing the total allocation to RM8 billion.
He said, in comparison, the maximum BKM rate is RM2,600 compared to BR1M (RM1,200) and BSH (RM1,480), an increase of 120% since the direct cash assistance initiative was first introduced.
“This increase is because the eligibility limit to receive BKM has been increased, from (household income of) RM4,000 or less per month (under BSH) to RM5,000 or less per month for BKM,” he said.
He said the number of BKM recipients was 8.6 million compared to BSH’s 4.5 million.
The minister said this meant that more Malaysian families are eligible for assistance, including part of the M40 group, with aid no longer limited to the B40 group as it was for previous direct cash assistance initiatives.
He said BKM has been known as an initiative targeting the B40 group, however, the fact was that it now benefits 12.6 million individuals, which is equivalent to 60% of adults in Malaysia.
He added that the Finance Ministry would continue to monitor external factors that could hurt the domestic economic situation to ensure the cost of living is under control.
“The government is also constantly monitoring the current situation and is confident that its policies, both in terms of direct and indirect assistance, such as basic necessities subsidies, aimed at ensuring the welfare of the people are always protected,” he said.
On June 22, Ismail Sabri announced additional cash assistance under BKM of RM100 for households and RM50 for single individuals after the government took into account the public’s challenges regarding the cost of living and the recent increase in food prices.
Apart from that, Tengku Zafrul said BKM Phase 2 – with an allocation of RM1.74 billion – will be paid in stages to eligible recipients starting today and will benefit 4 million households, 1.2 million senior citizens (single/without a partner) and 3.4 million single individuals.
The public can check the payment status under the initiative from today at https://bkm.hasil.gov.my. – Bernama, June 27, 2022
