Dr M: What is this BR1M?

Cabinet today has resolved to continue payments to low-income earners, albeit with a different name.

At a press conference after the cabinet meeting today, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad feigned ignorance on the previous name used for the payments.

"I don't know about 'brim', but we have bantuan sara hidup (cost of living assistance). What is this 'brim'?" he quipped.

The previous administration had initiated the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (stylised as BR1M) annual cash handouts since 2012 as a means of helping low-income earners cope with rising cost of living.

Initially set at RM500, the quantum has since increased to RM1,200. During the last election campaign, BN had dangled an RM2,000 BR1M carrot.

Meanwhile, Mahathir said the special Hari Raya bonus for civil servants was RM400 while pensioners will receive RM200.

He also announced that all highways across the country will be giving a 50 percent discount for the two days prior to Hari Raya, which falls on June 15.

Cabinet also resolved to come up with a price control mechanism for the holiday season.

As for the theme of this year's Merdeka Day celebration will be "Sayangi Malaysia" (Love Malaysia).

The cabinet further resolved to move the Permata programme from the Prime Minister's Department to the Education Ministry.

The Permata programme for early childhood education was initiated by Rosmah Mansor, the wife of Mahathir's predecessor Najib Abdul Razak. -Mkini