Najib handing over the BR1M allowance to Majiah Hanafiah, one of the 20 individuals to receive the aid at the national launching of BR1M and i-BR1M 2014 by the Prime Minister at Dewan Sekolah Menengah Aminuddin Baki, Kampung Pandan. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday gave the assurance that the people would continue to get the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) for as long as the country’s political stability and strong economic growth is maintained.
The prime minister said with economic growth, it would enable the government to implement development programmes and channel aid to the people.
Hence, he said, it was the priority of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government to do its best in administering the country.
“Currently, BN is able to administer the country well, when other countries are facing problems, through policies which are strong and accelerate economic growth, although there are uncertainties in the world economy.
“But in Malaysia, we are able to determine our economy as well as accelerate its growth, and when the country’s revenue increases, we distribute the wealth to the people,” he said when launching the BR1M 2014 here yesterday.
Najib said the government had allocated RM4.6 billion for BR1M 2014 which would benefit 7.9 million recipients.
He hoped the increase in the value of BR1M could ease the people’s burden, especially the urban residents.
The BR1M allowance to households with monthly income of RM3,000 and below has been increased from RM500 to RM700, including RM50 for contribution to the Group Takaful Rakyat 1Malaysia (i-BR1M) insurance which provides protection of up to RM30,000 in the event of death or permanent disability.
For single individuals aged 21 and above, and with a monthly income not exceeding RM2,000, the amount is increased from RM250 to RM300.
In addition, BR1M has been extended to households with a monthly income of between RM3,000 and RM4,000 and they will receive RM450.
The prime minister said that as a responsible government, it had to carry out fiscal consolidation to maintain the momentum of the country’s economy and the people’s well-being.
He said it had to be done in stages to ease the people’s burden, besides having to convince the world market that efforts would continue to be made by the government to strengthen the country’s fiscal position.
Najib said the improvements made to BR1M was in tandem with the implementation of the targeted subsidy in an effort to ease the people’s burden.
“Therefore, the government will change the policy on subsidy, which is from bulk subsidy to targeted subsidy to ensure that the implementation of the subsidy is fair,” he added.
The prime minister also said the government had fulfilled the promises it made in the last general election’s manifesto, which among others, was to increase in stages the BR1M value.
The prime minister said implementation of bulk subsidy was seen as a wastage and leakage because those who were not eligible to benefit from it, like foreign tourists and workers, also enjoyed the facility.
“For example, the subsidy for RON95 petrol is 63 sen per litre. Imagine the difference between owners of low and high capacity vehicles if they get to enjoy the same petrol subsidy. It is not fair.
“So, the government decides to change the policy from bulk subsidy to targeted subsidy in stages and shift the savings to the people through BR1M. BR1M is an example of the targeted subsidy,” he added.
Najib said BR1M 2014 was a manifestation of a good economic management by the government.
“The BR1M payment has been credited directly to the bank accounts of the recipients since yesterday. Those who do not have a bank account, they will receive the voucher, to be given in stages.
“This is because the people need the aid now and they need not have to wait long to enjoy aid from the government,” he said.
He also said the BN government would always fulfill its election manifesto, including during the 13th general election to increase the value of BR1M to RM1,200 in five years.
“It will be increased in stages, meaning next year, the amount will increase,” he added. — Bernama