People queue up outside the bank.
SIBU: The staff at Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) branch here experienced quite a hectic day yesterday as they served dozens of customers who came to check if they had received the RM1,600 Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) cash assistance.
The first phase of the payout programme commenced yesterday, with the funds to be credited directly into the recipients’ accounts.
The BPN would run until April 15.
A survey yesterday showed many people queuing outside the BSN branch here, including Jessie Atun, 42, and her mother Gading Merayang, 72.
“Both of us are eligible for BPN. We really thank the government for this assistance.
“I am here accompanying my mother, who is re-applying for her ATM card because she had lost her old card,” said Jessie, a single mother who has been running a tailoring business over the past four years.
Jessie (right) and her mother Gading are seen waiting outside the bank.
She admitted that it had been very hard for her business since the start of the Movement Control Order (MCO), to the extent that she could only pay each of her two workers a half-month salary last month.
“I had discussed this with them, and they agreed to this arrangement.
“I cannot afford to pay them full-month salaries because I have to pay rent and other things.
“Still, I’m grateful to the landlord who allowed me to pay only half of the rent last month, due to the MCO,” she said.
Nevertheless, Jessie said she had been doing her best to ease some burden off her workers, by providing them some food assistance during the MCO.
Meanwhile, a BSN Sibu spokesperson said the majority of customers yesterday came to check their BPN payout, as their accounts were not linked to online banking.
“Most of them went to the bank to do ATM cards as well.
“During this busy time, we are taking precautionary measures.
“All members of the public are to practise social distancing while waiting for their turns.
“Only five customers are allowed to enter the bank at one time,” said the spokesperson.