Terengganu not giving out CNY aid this year, says report

Two florists hang red lanterns and giant crackers outside their shop in Kuala Terengganu to usher the new lunar year. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The PAS-led Terengganu government said it will not be distributing financial aid to underprivileged groups such as the disabled, senior citizens and single-parent families celebrating Chinese New Year.

Sin Chew Daily quoted state executive councillor Hanafiah Mat as saying that this was because the Pakatan Harapan federal government still owed the state oil royalty for 2018.

Hanafiah, who is in charge of welfare, women and family development and national unity, said the state should have received RM250 million in oil royalty from the federal government but it had not heard anything on it as yet.

“Our financial situation is a bit tight and we have to stop the Chinese New Year distribution this year,” he said.

However, he said he had applied for an allocation of RM200,000 from the state government to distribute to poor Chinese communities in the state as a token of appreciation.

“The Kemaman and Kuala Terengganu districts will get RM50,000 each while the remaining RM100,000 will be distributed evenly to poor Chinese communities in other districts,” he said.

Sin Chew reported that the previous Barisan Nasional state government gave out between RM200 and RM400 to underprivileged groups celebrating their festive seasons.

Hanafiah did not rule out the possibility that financial aid would be given out next year, saying the distribution would depend on the state’s financial standing.

“We gave out financial assistance to those celebrating Hari Raya last year because we got the payment for our oil royalty,” he said. - FMT