Muhyiddin: BR1M could be raised to RM1,000 if BN wins

As Malaysians are counting down to the 13th general election, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin dished out another ‘election candy’, announcing that the RM500 cash aid given out in the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) could be increased to RM1,000 and become a permanent policy if BN retains Putrajaya.

According to Chinese daily Oriental Daily News, Muhyiddin said during a meet-the-people session at Tanjung Malim yesterday that BR1M would be given out “not only for the second time, but for the third, fourth, fifth time, or even forever if BN wins the government”.

Should the national income and tax revenue exceed RM125 billion, the government would consider raising the RM500 cash handouts to RM1,000, said Muhyiddin, who is also BN deputy president.

National news agency Bernama reported that Muhyiddin also said BR1M was given to ensure that the people’s income would not be affected by price hikes.

“During my visit to Perak last year, many said that BR1M was good and should be continued. Then the prime minister decided to give the people the second BR1M,” he said during the event dubbed ‘Perhimpunan Rakyat 1Malaysia’ at Padang Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris.

Muhyiddin reminded the people not to be fooled by opposition lies that the BN government has failed the people.

He said that the prosperity and peace proved that the BN government is on the right track to continue ruling the country.

“Everything is nice, well-planned, the economy is good. There are no quarrels, so why support the opposition?”

Muhyiddin said that the government had done a lot to help reduce the people’s cost of living.

They include giving large amounts of subsidies for essential goods, controlled items, and the costs of living aid and schooling aid.

Muhyiddin said after 55 years of independence, BN had built a strong and solid foundation for the country and it was important for the people to preserve it. 

“What matters most is to decide the country’s direction for the next seven years as former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had envisioned Malaysia to become a fully developed nation in its own way by 2020,” he added.