PUTRAJAYA – With payments for the Special Covid-19 Aid (BKC) beginning to be paid out from today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government would channel more assistance to the people starting next month.
In a video conference with Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) staff from his residence in Petaling Jaya to check on the BKC payment process, Ismail Sabri said BKC was among the assistance to help ease the burden of the people affected by Covid-19.
“I hope all the BKC payment processes planned by the Finance Ministry will run smoothly. Hopefully, nothing untoward happens that could cause delays and so on,” he said.
Ismail Sabri, who is still undergoing self-quarantine since August 30 after he was confirmed to be a close contact with a Covid-19 case, also advised BSN staff to ensure BKC recipients who come to collect the aid comply with standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent Covid-19 transmission.
Joining the video conference were Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, who was at BSN Putrajaya here, and Deputy Finance Minister Mohd Shahar Abdullah, who was at BSN in Bera, Pahang.
“Hopefully, what the government is giving today, although it may not be much, at least it can help reduce the people’s burden,” said Ismail Sabri, who also referred to information from Tengku Zafrul that more assistance is forthcoming for the people.
Last Wednesday, Ismail Sabri announced that the BKC would be paid in stages, with Phase 1 payments credited from today and expected to be completed by September 10, with funds amounting to RM3.1 billion channelled to the relevant banking institutions for BKC payments.
The BKC is to assist the hardcore poor, B40 households with total monthly income of RM5,000 and below and senior citizens, as well as singles with a monthly income of RM2,500 and below, based on the eligibility criteria under the Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR 2021) aid package.
Those in the M40 group who report income tax with a total household income of RM5,001 to RM9,000 and RM2,501 to RM5,000 for singles are also eligible to receive the BKC aid. – Bernama, September 6, 2021
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