Comparison of cash handouts in state election manifestos

 

STATE POLLS | Approaching polling day for the six state elections, both Pakatan Harapan-BN and Perikatan Nasional have made new promises to the people, as stated in their respective manifestos.

Drafted with the aim of defending their hold on three states each, and to capture the other three states held by their opponents, all 12 documents include long-term development plans and more immediate assistance.

Malaysiakini takes a closer look at direct “cash in pockets” initiatives, offered through various one-off monthly or annual assistance, increase in allowances paid by state agencies, as well as assistance via discounts, subsidies, or loans.

Commonalities include cash handouts for first-time mothers, first time married couples, and first-year university or training institute students.

New recipients include e-hailing and p-hailing riders, for those existing and those looking to start.

To note, neither Harapan-BN nor PN in Kedah included any direct cash handouts in their manifestos.

There were also promises of assistance made without an exact amount stated.

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Selangor

Harapan-BN

• RM1,500 for all undergraduates under the Bantuan Mahasiswa Selangor initiative

• RM200 book vouchers for all Selangor-born undergraduates in institutions of higher learning

• RM1,500 a month paid internship opportunities for 2,000 Selangor youths

• RM2,000 subsidy on the total cost to perform the haj to Mecca for 3,000 first-time pilgrims

• Increasing allowances paid to mosque officials: RM1,600 (imam), RM700 (bilal), RM500 (siak/mosque caretaker); RM500 (nazir/mosque chairperson)

• Increasing funeral expenses assistance to RM1,000 for all

• RM1,000 annual childcare subsidy for working mothers under a new Insentif Wanita Kita Selangor

• RM1,000 one-off assistance for farmers, including seedlings, fertilisers, and pesticides to increase yield, under a new Insentif Pertanian Kita Selangor

PN

• RM400 monthly groceries assistance for 65,000 poor families under a new Inisiatif Bantuan Prihatin Keluarga Selangor

• At least two months’ special allowance for all Selangor civil servants

• RM1,500 one-off payment for all first-year Selangor students who enrol in universities or training institutes and RM500 for all new matriculation and Form 6 students under a new Edustart Selangor scheme

• Increasing allowances paid to mosque officials: RM1,700 (imam), RM800 (bilal), RM600 (siak/mosque caretaker); RM600 (nazir/mosque chairperson)

• RM500 given directly to all mothers after giving birth under Inisiatif Lahir Selangor

• RM500 a month for three months under a new Inisiatif Wanita Waja for women who require support after their husbands died, or after divorce.

• RM1,500 for all p-hailing riders who further their studies in university under a new Gig Edu Selangor initiative.

• RM150 monthly childcare subsidy for needy families, benefiting 65,000 children, under a new Asuh Prihatin Selangor initiative.

• RM100 monthly school bus fee subsidy for 20,000 children from needy families under a new Selangor Prihatin Anak Sekolah initiative.

• RM6 million allocation a year for children from needy families to attend government Kelas Agama & Fardu Ain (Kafa)

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Negeri Sembilan

Harapan-BN

• RM150 voucher for youths aged 16-21 from B40 families to obtain motorcycle licenses

• RM100 contribution to the National Education Savings scheme for all newborns between 2023 and 2027.

• RM300 one-off assistance for students enrolling in government boarding schools

• One-off university enrolment assistance: RM1,000 (degree); RM750 (diploma); RM500 (certificate)

• RM5,000 one-off award for first-class graduates from public universities

• RM500 marriage assistance for the first wedding

• RM200 annual donation for single mothers with an income of less than RM2,000 a month

• RM200 annual donation for senior citizens aged 70 and above

PN

• 20 percent school bus fare subsidy

• 10 percent birthing cost subsidy or a maximum of RM300 for firstborns under a new Ibu Prihatin Nismilan initiative

• RM300 subsidy for youths to apply for a B2 motorcycle license

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Penang

Harapan-BN

• RM1,000 one-off assistance for all haj pilgrims from the lower-income (B40) group

• RM600 annual assistance for e-hailing drivers; insurance coverage for p-hailing riders; RM600 annual assistance for taxi and school bus drivers

• Annual assistance payment to paddy planters, vegetable farmers, and fisherfolk

• RM500 marriage assistance for newlyweds under a new Mempelai Emas programme

• Distribution of financial aid and scholarships to public and private university students

PN

• RM1,200 for first-year university and training institute students, RM500 for matriculation and Form 6 students

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Kelantan

Harapan-BN

• RM2,000 wedding assistance

• RM3,000 one-off assistance for new university admissions

• RM1,000 one-off payment for first-time mothers

• RM300 a year for Form 6 students

PN

• Increasing RM500 one-off donation for the poor and caregivers of patients

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Terengganu

Harapan-BN

• RM2,000 annual “mosque management” assistance

• Increase allowances for all mosque officials, Al-Quran teachers, and juru nikah (Muslim wedding officials)

• RM500 for heads of households, single parents, persons with disabilities, and singles aged 40 and above; RM300 for teenagers, university students, and singles aged 40 and below, under a one-off Bantuan Rakyat Terengganu initiative

• RM150 annual back-to-school assistance for all students

• RM600 additional one-off assistance for new boarding school students

• RM500 assistance for first-time marriage

• University admission assistance: RM1,500 (degree); RM1,000 (diploma); RM750 (certificate)

• RM1,000 handout or a free laptop for university students

• RM1,500 a month for degree graduates and RM1,200 for diploma graduates to undergo a year-long training scheme

• RM500 subsidy for RM5,000 interest-free loan to purchase a motorcycle

• RM300 one-off special assistance for farmers, fisherfolk, and others

• RM800 annual assistance for senior citizens

PN

• Up to RM4,000 in Islamic loan to purchase a motorcycle

• RM500 death expenses (khairat kematian) assistance

- Mkini