Sept 23, KUALA LUMPUR— The government will implement several initiatives and additional assistance under the RM10 billion PRIHATIN Supplementary Initiative Package (KITA PRIHATIN) in line with its efforts to boost economic recovery.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the additional package includes the RM7 billion Bantuan Prihatin Nasional 2.0 (BPN 2.0), the RM2.4 billion Wage Subsidy Programme 2.0 (WSP 2.0) and the RM600 million PRIHATIN Special Grant (GKP) worth RM600 million. He said the KITA PRIHATIN package targets four main groups, namely the B40 group who are married and single; M40 group with family and single; local workers in various fields and micro traders in various fields.
RM7 billion has been allocated for BPN 2.0 which will benefit 10.6 million recipients – Payments will be made in two instalments (October 2020 and January 2021).
For B40 group:
- RM1,000 for B40 households
- RM500 for B40 singles
For M40 group:
- RM600 for M40 households
- RM300 for M40 singles
Those who qualify will not have to apply for BPN 2.0 as the database used is based on the previous BPN aid. The government would allow those who did not qualify previously to appeal and submit a new application.
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Muhyiddin said the decision to provide the additional cash handouts under BPN 2.0 was in consideration of the ongoing difficulties faced by the people, as industries such as tourism and aviation are taking a longer time to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The KITA PRIHATIN package is the extension of the previous economic stimulus packages, namely PRIHATIN, PRIHATIN SME PLUS and PENJANA worth a total of RM295 billion, or about 20 per cent of the nation’s gross domestic product, with an additional fiscal injection by the government totalling RM45 billion.
Meanwhile, the implementation of the Wage Subsidy Programme 2.0 aims to provide assistance to employers and employees who are still facing difficulties during the economic recovery period, despite the signs of recovery in the job market.
“Under the PRIHATIN and PRIHATIN SME PLUS packages, the government has provided a total allocation of RM15.3 billion to fund the Wage Subsidy Programme for up to 3.3 million workers. As at Sept 11, 2020, a total of 2.63 million workers and 321,000 employers have benefited from this Wage Subsidy Programme, involving an expenditure of RM10.4 billion,” he said.
The wage subsidy will last for three months at a rate of RM600 per month for each employee up to a maximum of 200 employees. Applications are open from October 1 until December 31, 2020.
— BERNAMA