(Clock wise, from left) Allen Ang, Siti Aishah Ong Abdullah, Leah Choo, Sharifah Maimunah Wan Othman, Abang Mohd Sahibul and Nurul Baizura Surya.
KUCHING: Malaysians under the B40 lower income and M40 middle income groups have welcomed the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) 2.0 cash aid by Perikatan Nasional government as announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, which has provided some relief to their financial woes during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Photographer and financial planner Allen Ang, 38, said the pandemic has disrupted his life and work.
“We have to adapt to the new norms whether we like it or not, in order to survive. In our business, we deal with people a lot. Since the pandemic, it’s a lot harder for us to conduct our business as usual. But for us, being in the service industry, it’s very challenging.
“It’s not just about adding an online presence to our business to get our business going.
“When the MCO was first implemented, everyone was pretty much locked at home. Our movements were restricted. The photography business was suspended indefinitely – we couldn’t offer our services online, we couldn’t shoot your portrait online right?” he said.
As for the BPN money, he intends to put it back into savings, setting it aside as an emergency fund.
“It’s enough for me to settle all my bills and petrol for a month,” he said.
Administrative officer Siti Aishah Ong Abdullah concurs that 2020 has been the most challenging year.
“Many of us struggle with life. So do I. When our prime minister announced the MCO, I was thinking of my job and my salary. I was thinking about how to survive, my husband couldn’t work since he’s helping his sister at the open-air market. Most of the food stalls were shut down,” she said.
The 39-year-old was relieved when the BPN was announced.
“Even though the amount is not big, but it can still help my family. We use the money for our groceries. At least we can buy food with that,” she said.
Siti Aishah hopes that the pandemic would go away so that life can return to normal.
“I’m really just hoping that I can meet my parents soon. For now I think we all should stick together. Follow whatever SOP that our government has given us. No need to move around if there is no necessity. We are not only saving our lives but also saving our world from the pandemic. Just stay at home and spend more time with family,” she said.
Leah Choo, 27, from Kuching is ‘stranded’ in Kuala Lumpur after she lost her full-time job at a travel-related company. She is currently doing freelance graphic and web design work.
“I am lucky that I am living with my cousin here, otherwise I would not only be poor but probably homeless too. I lost my full-time job in July. I was only at it since January this year. It was a short-lived job – no thanks to the pandemic,” she said.
Choo is thankful for the BPN cash aid as it has helped her manage her daily expenses.
“I am not giving up potential career opportunities here. My parents back home understand and even encourage me to stay put.
“I believe this is just one of the many challenges in life, so I don’t want to ‘chicken out’. I do have several projects lined up to keep the income coming for the next couple of months. I also cannot rely on the handouts as it will eventually run out,” she said.
Choo also hopes there will be a Covid-19 vaccine soon so that the economy can start to recover and there will be more job opportunities again.
Housewife Sharifah Maimunah Wan Othman expresses gratitude for the government’s continued assistance.
“I am grateful for the continued assistance from this government and will use it to buy groceries. Those who have large families with more daily needs may need more,” said the mother-of-three.
Abang Mohd Sahibul, 27, said he is very grateful for the assistance given by the government.
He said the company he works for pays salaries according to sales revenue or commissions.
“I am thankful that the government provides assistance like BPN. The government’s cash assistance at least helps with my car loan payment as well as helping my family,” he said.
For Abang Mohd, the RM350 assistance for single individuals is sufficient and he hopes recipients will use the money accordingly.
Nurul Baizura Surya, 30, is grateful for the aid given by the government as it helps those in dire straits now.
“I am very grateful for the assistance like BPN and thank the government for being concerned about what the people are going through in the current situation.
“The assistance provided will definitely help the people. In my opinion, the assistance provided will definitely be used for their daily needs, paying rent, electricity and water bills,” said Nurul, a housewife with two children.
The government began payment of BPN 2.0 in stages on Oct 26.
The final stage is expected to be paid in January 2021.