Welfare aid to be increased to RM1k, says PM

 

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The government is set to increase the Social Welfare Department monthly assistance of between RM200 and RM300 to RM1,000.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he would ensure that eligible recipients of the assistance would have the same opportunities to live their lives like any other members of society.

"Taking into consideration the current economic situation and cost of living, I have proposed for the department monthly assistance to eligible recipients to be increased to RM1,000 from the current amount of between RM200 and RM300.

"And of course, persons with disabilities are included in this group who will benefit from the increase. I will make sure that the proposal is implemented immediately,” he said in a post on his official Facebook page in conjunction with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Thursday (Dec 3).

Muhyiddin had in August this year proposed for the increase of the monthly allowance to help the disabled community, which is part of the B40 group, as part of the aspirations of the Perikatan Nasional government under his leadership.

Muhyiddin said the disabled are part of the community that is always close to and given attention by him and the government.

"I personally have gone to the ground to meet with this group, such as during my visits to the Desa Rejang PPR flats in Setapak here, and the Taman Sri Keramat PPR in Putatan, Sabah,” he said.

He said the government, through the Finance Ministry, had announced several initiatives for the group during the recent tabling of Budget 2021, including the increase of monthly allowance for unemployed persons with disabilities from RM250 to RM300, for those who are disabled and employed from RM400 to RM450, and for persons with disabilities care, from RM350 to RM500.

According to department's record, he said the number of registered persons with disabilities in Malaysia now stood at 581,265 and he hoped that the campaign to get more disabled people registered could be intensified to ensure that no one will be left behind.

"This is important to ensure that they will not be left behind in getting government aid, especially in facing difficult times during the spread of the Covid-19.

"I pray that the disabled persons will have the best place in society so that they could also contribute to the development of the country. Happy International Day for Persons with Disabilities 2020,” he added. - Bernama