Government to distribute BR1M twice next year - Bernama

The government plans to distribute the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) twice next year, says Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah.

He said apart from this, the method of distribution may also be through the recipients’ back accounts.

"The value of the BR1M will be announced during the tabling of Budget 2014 on October 25 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

"We have prepared the first draft for this, which has been presented to Najib. So, we are further strengthening the distribution of the BR1M. While the actual amount has not been determined, it is certain to be more than the RM500 handed out previously," he added.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating the opening of the Sekolah Agama Rakyat Ehsaniah at Kampung Dato Ahmad Said Tambahan II, Gugusan Manjoi, near Ipoh today.

He said the distribution of the BR1M twice will enable recipients to use it within a specified time and in a more careful manner compared to a one-off handout.

Ahmad Husni said when the subsidy rationalisation policy is implemented, the government will also look at the best assistance model for those having a household income of between RM4,000 and RM5,000.

Najib vows to remove detention camp in Juru

Penang Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has promised to relocate the Juru immigration detention camp for foreign workers.

Although he did not say where it would be relocated, the crowd responded positively.

“I have fulfilled your requests,” he said as he expressed his agreement for the task as requested by BN.

The Juru detention camp houses 600 migrant workers at a time and the community fears for their security. There had been a rat disease outbreak earlier there, so residents fear for their health.

“Can we confirm Bukit Tengah is our stronghold?” he said, to wild shouts from the crowd.

He repeated pledges of 20,000 affordable homes for Penangites and launched the first phase of the project in Juru.

“How come a party that says it is a hero for the people was more concerned about the tunnel?” he asked.

Govt to continue giving BR1M: Najib

RAWANG (April 28, 2013): Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said today the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) would continue to be given because it was a focused programme which had a major impact on the people.

The prime minister said BR1M reached the target group more than the bulk subsidy which he added also benefit the rich, foreign workers and law breakers such as smugglers.

"There is much leakage (in bulk subsidy), but with BR1M the recipients can make use of the money to shop, buy infant milk, school bags and clothing.

"This can indirectly help uplift the local economy such as the farmers' markets, retail shops and so on," he told reporters after meeting the residents of Kampung Sungai Terentang, here.

Najib was commenting on the alleged belittling of the BR1M payment by the opposition political parties.

The federal government introduced in 2012 the BR1M annual payment of RM500 for every household with a total monthly income of up to RM3,000. This year, it also paid RM250 to single unmarried individuals with a monthly income of up to RM2,000.

Najib said the government would continue to give the BR1M payment if it was given a fresh mandate in the 13th General Election come May 5.

He said the programme might be improved as per the pledge made in the BN manifesto. The manifesto had pledged to raise the BR1M to RM1,000 next year.

"We know that the programme benefits the people. So, the opposition is trying to turn it into a controversy.

"However, the people want the programme to be continued and the sum increased," he said. – Bernama

(Source: The Sun Daily)

BR1M Helps Reduce Financial Burden Of Low Income Earners - Recipients

KUALA LUMPUR, April 24 (Bernama) -- The government's commitment to ease the burden of the rising cost of living among the low income earners through the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) has been of great significance to the Chinese and Indian community in the country.

A newspaper vendor, T. Subbulekchumi, 55, said the RM500 BR1M had provided her with extra cash to buy groceries and other essential items.

"I also used a portion of the aid as capital for my newspaper business, while the second BR1M was used to pay deposit for a new room which my husband and I are staying.

"I have a son, who is a taxi driver, but he is married and stays elsewhere," she told Bernama.

Subbulekchumi, whose husband, A. Eraiah, 63, has heart ailment, said she was grateful to be among the BR1M recipients as it helped to reduce her financial burden.

She praised the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, for its concern for the people's well-being.

Another BR1M recipient, M. Krahalatchumi, 50, a single mother with three children who also has to take care of her 77-year-old mother, said the aid helped to supplement her household expenses.

She hoped that the government would consider providing monthly allowance for single mothers like her.

Meanwhile, Chew Keng Kwun, 61, said the aid, though small to some people, was of great help.

He said used the BR1M money to pay for his utility bills and also buy some household stuff.

Law Shu Ping, 25, a recipient of the BR1M aid for unmarried Malaysians, said she was able to use the money to pay her motorcycle installment, as well as spent some on her parents.

Three cheers for yearly BR1M

Welcome relief: Anthony is glad to know that he will be able to apply for BR1M even though he is unmarried.

 

PETALING JAYA: The Prime Minister's announcement that the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) will be given annually has been greeted with “three cheers” all around.

Single mother Ranee, 51, who earns RM1,000 a month as a cleaner, said she was happy to receive the RM500 cash aid.
 
“I am saving it for my 13-year-old son's educational needs,'' she added.

Single Mothers Association of Federal Territory and Selangor president Sharifah Kamariah Syed Ibrahim said that in addition to cash, more skills training should be provided.

“Then we can be self-sufficient,” she said.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced on Tuesday that BR1M for households earning RM3,000 and less a month would be given yearly.

He said this while presenting the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) Annual Report 2012.

The next mission is to improve perception of crime rate

Welcome aid: Ipoh Barat MCA division chairman Datuk Tan Chin Meng (left) handing out the BR1M 2.0 payment to 81-yearold Yong Yow Choy (centre) and his wife Wong Ah Keng, 75, at Glamour Square Shopping Centre in Bercham.

 

KUALA LUMPUR: Some 4.18 million households have benefited from the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) programme, which was started to help the people cope with the rising cost of living.

According to the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) Annual Report 2012, BR1M has helped more households in the country than initially targeted.

“The original target, based on the Statistics Department’s Household Income Survey 2009/10, was 3.4 million households,” said the report, adding that the actual number of recipients was more than 4.17 million households, which was 22.91% higher.

Under the BR1M programme, households earning RM3,000 and less a month are each given a one-off cash assistance of RM500.

This was further extended with a RM250 assistance covering single unmarried persons aged 21 and above and earning not more than RM2,000 a month.

Another initiative under the NKRA for rising cost of living is the 1Malaysia People’s Welfare Aid (KAR1SMA) cash assistance ranging from RM100 to RM450 to recipients who include senior citizens, the disabled, single mothers and widows of police and military personnel.

The report said some RM1.4bil in KAR1SMA aid was distributed last year.

The GTP also offers programmes providing basic needs at affordable costs, through the 1Malaysia Clinic and Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M). As of Dec 31 last year, 168 1Malaysia clinics provided medical care at a nominal fee of RM1. The target in 2013 is to establish 80 more such clinics.

Meanwhile, 59 KR1M stores were set up last year, offering essential goods at 30% to 40% lower than prices at conventional stores.

As for the second phase of KR1M, residents in rural areas will see its goods being distributed to “Mom and Pop” stores in various districts. The target for KR1M is to establish 50 stores every year until 2015.

(Source: The Star Online)

Government not selective in giving out BR1M

BR1M-ming with delight: Recipients collecting their BR1M vouchers at the Dewan Cempaka Sari in Putrajaya. More than 3,500 received the RM500 aid.

 

PUTRAJAYA: The Government is not selective in giving out the 1Malaysia people's aid (BR1M), said Putrajaya MP Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

“Barisan Nasional has not been selective (in helping the people). We pray BR1M will continue because the Government cares and looks out for the people,” he said in his speech at an event that brought festive cheer to 3,500 underprivileged people here who each received the RM500 aid yesterday.

He advised voters to make the right choice in the coming general election “in the interest of the nation's future”.
“It is up to the rakyat. If you support Najib (referring to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak), then you must support the party he leads,” added Tengku Adnan, who is also Barisan and Umno secretary-general.

State leaders laud Najib’s BR1M announcement

KUCHING: Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan has described Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as being visionary when the latter announced that the government would continue to give 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) in the coming years.

He said Najib would not consider his vision as fulfilled if the needs of people from all strata of society regardless of race, creed, religion and political affiliation are not taken care of.

To him, the announcement reflects the premier’s concern for the poor, needy, under-privileged and the ordinary people, which should not be construed as a political gimmick.

Mawan, who is also national BN vice-chairman, said this yesterday when countering a statement by State Pakatan Rakyat that Najib was desperate to win the coming general election by fishing for votes using BR1M 3.0 and BR1M 4.0.

“It is his (Najib’s) sustained concern that goes a long way to care for the poor, needy, under-privileged and the small men. He touches the hearts of millions.

Ordinary folk overjoyed to receive BR1M 2.0 vouchers

KUALA LUMPUR: British Army veteran Ibrahim Jaabar has no pension or any source of income.

The widower, who lives with his 31-year-old bachelor son, depends financially on his six children.

So when the RM500 through the 1Malaysia People's Aid 2.0 (BR1M 2.0) came along, Ibrahim, 74, was delighted.

“It can ease my expenses,” he said.

Ibrahim, who said that he did not get a pension because he had only served 18 years instead of the required 20 years in the British Army, thanked the Federal Government for the much-needed help.

For Wong Tai Moi, 63, the RM500 would go towards her expenses for regular trips to the hospital.

Wong, a former babysitter, said she had to seek treatment due to complications arising from diabetes.

“I had to have an operation after I fell and injured myself due to dizziness,” she said.

Najib: We are keeping our promise on BR1M

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 10,000 people turned up at Taman Dagang Jaya here to receive RM500, their share of the second round of the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M), from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The event, which saw traffic clogged up for miles along the road leading to the field, was part of a series held nationwide.

Those who qualified began receiving the financial aid all over the country.

In his speech to the recipients, Najib said the two rounds of BR1M aid was possible because the Barisan Nasional government had managed the economy well.

PM Najib: Economic growth is enabling implementation of development programmes

Najib Tun Razak during a groundbreaking opening Lupak Mosque in Batu Sapi Widespread

SANDAKAN: The country's encouraging economic growth has enabled the Government to implement development programmes and channel aid to the people.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak said this was the reason why Barisan Nasional had made it a priority to do its best in managing the country, especially with regard to economic growth.

He said Barisan could manage the country well currently although other countries were facing problems.
"We have managed the country well while countries in Europe were being saddled with debts, the United States (US) is facing problems due to its political clashes while countries in the Middle East were undergoing uprisings.

"Malaysia, on the contrary, is recording economic growth that has received praise from the international community," he said at a gathering with the people in the Batu Sapi Parliamentary Constituency and the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kampung Lupak Meluas Mosque, near here Sunday.

Upon completion, the new mosque, built at a cost of RM5mil, will be the biggest in Batu Sapi. It is located beside the Public Housing Project area where 180 housing units are now under construction.

According to Najib, the country's economic growth rate has also received praise from International Monetary Fund (IMF) chairman Christine Lagarde, whom he had met recently.

"We have achieved good economic growth, and when the country's revenue increases, the economy improves and we distribute this wealth to the people," he said.

"That's the principle that I hold on to in the aspect of social justice. The 1Malaysia concept was introduced not merely as a slogan but it has principles and comprehensiveness," he said.

Najib said the Government implemented the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) due to the strong national economic revenue and it is being continued for BR1M2.0 next year. - Bernama

(Source: The Star Website - 16 December 2012)