RM512 mil given to health ministry in war against Covid-19

The government says RM222.4 million in allowances has been paid to frontline personnel including doctors, nurses and other medical staff.

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM512.5 million has been channelled to the health ministry as at Aug 7 to enhance its war against Covid-19, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said.

He said RM1 billion has also been extended to finance the purchase of medical equipment such as ventilators and intensive care unit (ICU) equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE) for public and medical service personnel, and laboratory equipment for Covid-19 screening.

“For the Frontline Special Allowance, RM222.4 million has been channelled based on 694,447 claims, comprising that of doctors, nurses and other medical personnel who are directly involved in the management and containment of the pandemic.

“This special allowance is also extended to members of the military, police, customs, immigration, fire brigade, Civil Defence Force, and Rela (People’s Volunteer Corps) who are directly involved in implementing the movement control order (MCO),” he said.

He said this when presenting the 17th Laksana Report on the implementation of the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package (Prihatin) and National Economic Recovery Plan (Penjana).

On the Cost of Living Aid (BSH), Tengku Zafrul said payments amounted to RM2.7 billion have been credited into the bank accounts of 4.13 million recipients.

“Approved BSH recipients, who have not received the payments in their bank accounts, can claim it in cash at any Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) outlets until Dec 31,” he said.

On the i-Lestari Employees Provident Fund (EPF) programme, Tengku Zafrul said the total cumulative withdrawals made from the end of April until Aug 7 amounted to RM6.5 billion, an increase from RM5.71 billion in the previous week, involving 4.52 million recipients.

He said the government had channelled assistance to 29,968 taxi drivers totalling RM17.9 million in the first phase, and RM825,000 to 1,376 drivers in the second phase.

A total of 7,582 tour guides had also received assistance amounting to RM4.55 million. - FMT