PKR repudiates Tun M’s claim, says BR1M not form of bribery

(NST) – PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail today said that the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) programme is not a form of bribery.

In response to former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s allegation that BR1M constitutes corruption, Dr Wan Azizah said it is the right of the people to receive such monetary aid.

“The government should (give aid) to the people (in whatever form). It is (the people’s) right.

“(BR1M) is not bribery. (Recipients are eligible) to get any such help from the government,” she said at a press conference at the PKR headquarters here today.

Dr Wan Azizah, however, voiced PKR’s criticism that while not everyone receives BR1M, all Malaysians at all levels pay for the Goods and Services Tax.

On Sunday, it was reported that Tun Dr Mahathir, who is also Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman, said that BR1M is a form of bribery and as such, the handout is deemed criminal.