PEMULIH Package Highlights June 2021

Here are the key takeaways of the Pakej Perlindungan Rakyat dan Pemulihan Ekonomi (PEMULIH) package announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on 28 June 2021. 

As FMCO 2021 proceeds into its second month, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced today that the government is launching the latest aid package called the National People’s Well-Being and Economic Recovery Package or Pakej Perlindungan Rakyat dan Pemulihan Ekonomi (PEMULIH). 

During the special live broadcast, the PM said the package is worth a total of RM150 billion, comprising the government’s direct fiscal injection of RM10 billion. The PEMULIH package is aimed to provide comprehensive aid to the people based on three main focuses:

1. Continuing with the Prihatin Rakyat agenda
2. Supporting businesses
3. Increasing vaccination rate

 “Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit our country, the government has implemented seven assistance programmes and stimulus packages with a total value of RM380 billion.” 

Here are some highlights of the initiatives under the PEMULIH Package:

1. Continuing the Prihatin Rakyat agenda

Phase Three of Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR) with aid of RM100 to RM1,400 will be paid in September. 

• A total of RM4.6 billion worth of Bantuan Khas COVID-19 (BKC) will be distributed to 11 million households, senior citizens and singles in the B40 and M40 income groups. 

• • Hardcore poor households will receive RM500 in August and November, as well as RM300 in December.
  • Single individuals in the hardcore poor category will receive assistance of RM200 in August and RM300 in November. 
  • B40 households will receive assistance of RM500 in August and RM300 in December.
  • Single B40 individuals will receive assistance of RM200 in August. 
  • M40 household will enjoy assistance of RM250.
  • M40 singles will receive RM100 in August. 

• • Unemployed individuals will receive RM500 in October, based on their EPF and SOCSO data this year. 
  • Fresh graduates and workers in informal sectors who are not registered with SOCSO can register with MyFutureJobs and receive RM300.
  • The petrol price of RON95, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) will remain. 
  • RM1 billion will be spent by the government to cap the price of 5kg cooking oil at RM30. 
  • RM15 billion will be allocated to NGOs. 

• • All MPs will receive RM300,000 to provide food aid to help with their constituencies.
  • RM10 million will be allocated to implement the food basket initiative, especially for Orang Ali.

• • There will be electricity bill discounts between 5% and 40% from July to September. This is based on individual electric usage with a minimum limit of 900kW per hour. A discount of 40% is only eligible for those who are using less than 200kW per hour per month. 
  • Government agrees to provide additional payments of RM500 under the Prihatin Special Grant (GKP) 3.0 initiative. Those who are eligible will receive RM500 in September and another RM500 in November. 

• • 1 gigabyte of free daily data extended until Dec 31 with an estimated value of RM500 million, benefiting 44 million users.
  • RM18 million will be allocated for local banks to provide 30 units of mobile banks in the country.

2. Supporting businesses

• There will be a six-month moratorium for all individual borrowers, regardless if they are from the B40, M40 or T20 groups. No documentation required as approval will be given automatically by the banks. 
• Government will provide a salary subsidy of RM600 per worker for four months. 
• RM100 million is allocated to support those working in the entertainment and creative art sector. 
• One-off RM3,000 assistance will be given to sports facilities’ operators. 
• Micro SMEs will receive additional financial assistance of RM500 in September and another RM500 in November. 
• Cash handout of RM500 per month over three months will be given to the disabled.
• A three-month loan moratorium will be given to entrepreneurs with MARA loans. They can also extend their loan period for up to 36 months. The 30% discount for tenant premises will also be extended until December 2021. 

• The government will allow the withdrawal of RM1,000 per month for five months under a new EPF i-Citra programme. 
• PTPTN borrowers would be provided with a three-month targeted moratorium.
• Affected insurance and takaful policyholders can apply for deferment of payment until December 2021. 
• RM3,000 will be given to 4,400 nursery operators. 
• The government will allow a six-month postponement for repayment of JPA federal student loans. 
• The government has agreed to postpone monthly income tax instalment payments for companies.
• Tourism and services taxes for hotel operators will be waived until December 2021.
• RM3,000 one-off assistance will be given to 5,300 registered travel agencies to help revive their businesses. 
• Economic sectors that have been badly hit – hotel, theme park, shopping malls and tour agencies – will receive a three-month extension of electricity bill discounts of 10% from October to December 2021. 
• Companies will be allowed to operate at full capacity, provided that all employees have been fully vaccinated (two doses of vaccine).

3. Increasing vaccination rate

• RM400 million is allocated to increase national vaccine supplies. This will cover 130% of the population.
• RM200 million is allocated for 29 new vaccination centres, including drive-through vaccination centres, mobile vaccination centres and outreach home-to-home vaccination programmes. 

• RM150 million is allocated for the public-private partnership immunisation programme (PIKAS).
• Allowance for vaccination centre volunteers will be increased from RM50 to RM100 a day, for those on duty for more than 12 hours per day. 
• Healthcare professional working at the vaccination centres will also receive an additional RM600 allowance for six months.