KUALA LUMPUR – The nation waited with bated breath this afternoon for Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to respond to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s claim that the opposition leader has the numbers to wrest Putrajaya.
However, there was no mention of Anwar in Muhyiddin’s televised address, in which he announced new measures to revive the coronavirus-hit economy.
The Bersatu president only made a small reference at the end of his speech, urging the people to reject a handful of politicians out to rock the boat. He did not name anyone specifically.
“The announcement that I’m making today indicates that the Perikatan Nasional government has heard the complaints of the people.
“We are trying our best (to help) the people through this tough time.”
He spoke about the country’s economic recovery plan and announced more initiatives under the Kita Prihatin programme to aid citizens amid the Covid-19 crisis.
Fresh aid for the needy
Muhyiddin said there will be a second round of Bantuan Prihatin Nasional aid for B40 and M40 households, as well as unmarried Malaysians.
The payments will be split into two, with the first to be made at the end of next month and the second in January next year.
B40 families will get RM1,000 each, and M40 households, RM600.
Singles in the B40 group will get RM500, while those in the M40 group will receive RM300.
Muhyiddin said Putrajaya will introduce the Wage Subsidy Programme 2.0 for businesses now earning 30% less than what they were making before Covid-19 hit.
“The wage subsidy will be given for three months at a rate of RM600 a month for every worker, for a maximum of 200 workers.”
He said employers can apply throughout the month of October, and that the scheme is open to all firms registered with the Social Security Organisation as of August 31.
“New applicants who have never accepted aid under the programme are qualified to receive a wage subsidy for up to six months.”
Meanwhile, micro-businesses that are eligible for the RM3,000 Kita Prihatin special grant but have yet to receive it can apply from October 1 to 31.
To qualify, they must be registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia or local authorities as of August 31.
The government targets for the payments to be made from November 25, said Muhyiddin. – The Vibes, September 23, 2020
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