BACHOK: The RM500 one-off payment for households with a monthly income of up to RM3,000 is tax-exempt, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin said yesterday.
He said civil servants earning almost RM3,000 a month and eligible for the aid should not be unduly concerned about having to pay income tax on the additional payment.
“The government desires to help people faced with a rising cost of living,” he told reporters.
Awang Adek was asked to comment on claims that civil servants with a RM3,000 income eligible for BR1M would have to pay income tax for the aid. The allegations were made out of fear that the aid is getting good response from the people, he said.
There have been requests for the aid to be made an annual payment, he said, adding that he was confident Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would consider this should the Barisan Nasional be given the mandate in the next general election. — Bernama