KUALA LUMPUR – The government has allocated RM10 billion meant for direct cash aid through the Welfare Department and Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia for 2023, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz said when tabling the budget today.
This includes one-off aid of RM2,500 for households that earn less than RM2,500 and have five or more children.
This is the highest one-off cash aid provided by the government thus far, he said.
The RM10 billion total also includes RM2.5 billion to the Welfare Department, up from RM1.5 billion allotted for 2022.
Cash aid from the Welfare Department also includes assistance meant for those facing chronic diseases and the disabled, to name a few.
Tengku Zafrul stated that the significant increase in aid is in line with the federal government’s adjustment of the national poverty line income in 2019 from RM980 to RM1,169. – The Vibes, October 7, 2022