PM announces new RM15 billion special aid package
(FMT) – Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has announced a special aid package worth RM15 billion to help Malaysians following renewed movement restrictions since Jan 13.
The nation was placed under stricter restrictions last Wednesday, with six states and all federal territories now under the movement control order (MCO 2.0) and five other states under a conditional MCO.
Last year, Putrajaya announced an economic stimulus package worth RM300 billion after the first round of lockdowns.
READ MORE HERE: UCAPAN YAB PERDANA MENTERI: PENGUMUMAN KHAS PAKEJ BANTUAN PERMAI
Muhyiddin said the three main goals for the package, known as Permai, were to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, protect the people’s welfare and support businesses.
He said the government would be launching a food basket programme worth RM50 million to distribute food items to eligible households affected by the pandemic and the lockdown.
“To ensure that the welfare of vulnerable groups remains protected, the government will allocate RM25 million under the GLIC/GLC Disaster Relief Network programme as a matching grant with government-linked companies for social initiatives.
“This includes the provision of community assistance, including to the elderly, homeless, the disabled and flood victims,” he said in a televised national address on the Permai package today.
Muhyiddin also maintained that the moratorium and reduction of loan repayment instalments will continue to be offered by banks, although he did not state if there was a further extension.
He said borrowers facing difficulties with their banks may contact Bank Negara Malaysia or the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) for assistance.
He also announced that the Employees Provident Fund (EPF)’s i-Sinar scheme would be improved, with EPF set to provide an advance of up to RM1,000 from the amount applied for under the i-Sinar Category 2 facility.
He added that the Category 2 withdrawal process had been simplified, with members only required to provide a self-declaration that they meet the criteria and submit the supporting documents online.
“The government has also asked EPF to facilitate the advance payment, which will commence on Jan 26. Further details will be announced by the EPF.”
An additional RM1 billion will be allocated to fight the pandemic, with RM800 million going to the health ministry and the rest going to the National Security Council (MKN) and other agencies.
The funds will be used to acquire supplies such as screening kits as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers.
“Taking to account the current Covid-19 situation, the government will add an additional 3,500 health workers who will begin their duties at the end of this month, with an additional allocation of RM150 million.
“They will comprise assistant medical officers, paramedics, laboratory technologists and nurses. I assure you that the government is ready to recruit more workers should the need arise in the future,” he said.
To lighten the patient load on the public healthcare system, he said private hospitals have agreed to treat Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients, with some RM100 million allocated for this purpose.
