Govt introduces special assistance 'Kita Prihatin' package
In a special address on national television on Wednesday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Prihatin economic stimulus package involves RM295bil or 20% of the GDP.
ETALING JAYA: The government has introduced several new initiatives worth RM10bil to help people weather the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Kita Prihatin package is an additional stimulus to previous government initiatives such as the RM35bil Pelan Jana Semula Ekonomi Negara (Penjana) announced in June and the RM260bil Prihatin package in March.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said while the figures showed that there was economic recovery, new initiatives were needed as many were still facing difficulties.
He said the Wage Subsidy Programme 2.0 was targeted at firms seeing a drop in revenue of up to 30% compared to last year since the recovery movement control order (MCO).
A wage subsidy of RM600 monthly will be given to a maximum of 200 employees each for three months, with applications to be open from Oct 1 until Dec 31 this year.
The Prime Minister said he received feedback that many companies were not eligible for the scheme because they had not registered with the Social Security Organisation (Socso) before April 1.
He said to ensure they were not left behind, the second scheme would be open to companies that registered with Socso before Aug 31.
“For new applications that did not receive assistance under the Wage Subsidy Scheme programme, they will be eligible for subsidies for up to six months, ” he said yesterday in a special address to announce the initiatives.
He said the implementation of the programme was expected to benefit 1.3 million workers with an allocation of RM2.4bil.
Muhyiddin also announced a Special Prihatin Grant (GKP) to help micro businesses that were facing financial difficulties because of the pandemic.
He said it would be open to business owners registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia or with local authorities before Aug 31, with payments to be made from Nov 25.
“The reopening of this initiative is expected to benefit over 200,000 micro businesses, with an allocation of almost RM600mil, ” he said.
Another RM7bil in cash aid under Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) 2.0 would be channelled to 10.6 million recipients, said Muhyiddin.
He said RM1,000 would be given to 3.7 million families in the B40 category, RM500 to 3.8 million single folk in the B40 group, RM600 to 1.4 million M40 families, and RM300 to 1.7 million singles in the M40 group.
The payments will be made in two batches – at the end of October this year and in January next year.
“There will be no need to apply for BPN 2.0. The government will channel aid directly
to the 10.6 million recipients who were approved previously.
“To those who are eligible but never received BPN, the government will give them a chance to appeal and submit new applications.
“I hope that with this additional assistance, you can breathe a sigh of relief in covering the daily expenses for you and your family, ” he said.
Muhyiddin also appealed to the public to reject the actions of several politicians whom he claimed wanted to undermine the political stability and the nation’s ongoing economic recovery plan.
He said the country needed a stable and strong government with the support of the public.
“This is important so that more initiatives to restore the economy and help the people can be implemented effectively by the government, ” he said.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Bantuan Prihatin ...
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) 2.0
Q What is BPN 2.0?
A It is an extra aid provided by the Government for the B40 and M40 to reduce their financial burden due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The issuance of BPN 2.0 is based on the BPN 2020 database comprising a list of 10.6 million previously approved recipients.
Q Who is eligible to receive BPN 2.0?
A BPN 2.0 recipients will be those who previously received the last payment of BPN 2020.
Q Do I need to apply for BPN 2.0?
A You do not need to apply for BPN 2.0 if you have previously received the last payment of BPN 2020.
Q Can I submit a new application if I have not been listed as a recipient of BPN 2.0?
A New applications for BPN 2.0 can be made starting Oct 15, 2020.
B. Payment of BPN 2.0
Q How much is the payout that will be given for BPN 2.0?
A The amount of payout will be as follows:
> B40 household earning less than RM4,000:
First phase=RM700; Second phase=RM300; Total=RM1,000 >
M40 household earning between RM4,001 and RM8,000:
First phase=RM400; Second phase=RM200; Total=RM600
> B40 singles earning less than RM2,000:
First phase=RM350; Second phase=RM150; Total=RM500
> M40 singles earning between RM2,001 and RM4,000:
First phase=RM200; Second phase=RM100; Total=RM300
Q When will BPN 2.0 payouts be made?
A First phase will be at the end of October 2020. Second phase will be in January 2021.
Q How will BPN 2.0 payouts be made?
A i. Those with active bank accounts - the payment will be credited into the account number listed in the BPN 2020 database.
ii. Those with inactive or closed bank accounts - claim the cash at a Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) branch.
iii. Those with no bank accounts - claim the cash at a BSN branch.
Q How will BSN 2.0 payouts be made for recipients in the interiors of Sabah and Sarawak?
Payments for recipients with no bank accounts living in the interiors of Sabah and Sarawak will start in January 2021.
Q Can I update my personal details such as my bank account that is no longer active?
A Updating bank account information is not allowed because the payment method for BPN 2.0 will be the same as the payment method of the previous BPN 2020 (refer to the answer for question 7).
Q If the payout was made to an inactive or incorrect bank account, what should I do?
A You can claim the cash at a BSN branch after the serial number has appeared. You can check your application status via the official BPN portal at https://bpn.hasil.gov.my
C. Status check
Q When and how can I check my application status for BPN 2.0?
A Recipients who are eligible to receive BPN 2.0 can check their status starting Oct 15 via the official portal at https://bpn. hasil.gov.my
Q What should I do if I forget my password to log into the portal and what if I fail to answer the security question?
A You need to wait for 10 minutes before attempting to answer the security question again. If you still fail to answer, you can contact the Hasil Care Line (HCL) at 03- 89111000 to reset your account and security question or contact the nearest IRB branch.
D. Other matters
Q Based on my status check, I was approved as a recipient in the M40 category for BPN 2020. Can I appeal to be a recipient in the B40 category for BPN 2.0?
A The BPN 2.0 qualification category is based on the final approval for BPN 2020.
Q I was a BPN 2020 recipient under the singles category but I am now married. Am I eligible to receive BPN 2.0 under the household category?
A You can submit a new application or appeal starting Oct 15, 2020 under the household category if you meet all the criteria.
Q I was married to a BPN 2020 recipient under the household category but I am now divorced. Am I eligible to receive BPN 2.0 under the single mother or father category?
A You can submit a new application/appeal starting Oct 15, 2020 under the single mother or father category if you meet all the criteria.
Q I am single and will turn 21 years old in 2021. If I am not yet 21 years old at the time that the application opens up, am I eligible to apply?
A Those born in 1999 or before are eligible to apply.
Q I received BPN 2020 previously and now wish to reject BPN 2.0. How can I return the cash aid?
A You can do the following: i. Submit a letter to the Finance Ministry stating your full name, MyKad number and reason for returning the cash aid.
ii. Come up with a bank draft or cheque addressed to the Accountant General of Malaysia according to the amount being returned.
iii. The letter and bank draft or cheque must then be submitted to the Finance Ministry at the following address:
Pejabat Belanjawan Negara, Kementerian Kewangan Malaysia, Presint 2, 62592 Putrajaya.
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