BPN aid worth RM11b paid out to 10.6m people: PM

It appears that queues of people waiting in line to obtain National Concerned Aid (BPN) money at a bank are underestimated and do not keep up with social bankruptcy during a survey around the capital today. The first phase of the National Care Aid (BPN) payment which began today illuminated many communities after their income was affected following the implementation of the Movement Control Order (CPP) which began on March 18.

by BERNAMA

THE total number of recipients of the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) stands at 10.6 million people to date, involving a payment of RM11 billion, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said the government had approved a total of 2.3 million BPN applications, including new applications and appeals, which involved a total payout of RM1.7 billion, yesterday.

Muhyiddin said this during a special address that was telecast live on local television stations including Bernama TV today.

Apart from that, he also announced that Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz had agreed to extend the period for BPN aid appeals till May 31, 2020.

This is because many complaints were received from the public who failed to receive the BPN aid due to various reasons, among others, the information given were not complete.

“There are those whose applications were rejected as their records show that their income is more than the eligibility criteria, but in actual fact, they have lost their jobs and sources of income.

“Some of the applicants are students who receive the BPN aid in the students category, hence their application for BPN aid in the single category were rejected,” he said.

Muhyiddin said besides sending emails, applicants whose applications were not approved can go to any Inland Revenue Board (IRB) counters to make the appeal, starting tomorrow.

“In states that observe public holiday tomorrow, the applicants can go IRB counters on Tuesday, May 12.

“I can’t promise that all appeals will be approved, but appeals that are reasonable and meet the requirements, InsyaAllah, will be approved,” he said.