Muhyiddin Yassin
KUCHING (Jan 18): Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today announced a special assistance package worth RM15 billion, dubbed Malaysian Economic and Rakyat Protection Assistance Package (Permai).
In a special address broadcast on national television, he said Permai comprises of 22 initiatives anchored on three main objectives.
The objectives were to combat Covid-19 pandemic, to safeguard the welfare of the people and to support businesses
In combating Covid-19, Muhyiddin announced that an additional fund of RM1 billion had been allocated – comprising of almost RM800 million allocated to the Health Ministry, with the remaining amount to the National Security Council (MKN) and other related agencies.
“This allocation focuses on supplies, among them are additional reagent and swab test kit as well as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for health workers,” he added.
Initiatives to be conducted under include the implementation of Covid-19 vaccination programme. He announced that the government had signed three agreements with vaccine producers, with the first batch to be received end of February.
He said the government will ensure vaccine procurement transparency and the National Immunisation Programme will be given focus through the Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee special committee.
“The National Consultative Council for Islamic Affairs has decided that the use of Covid-19 vaccine is permissible and must be taken by the stipulated groups ,” he added.
In safeguarding the people’s welfare, Muhyiddin announced the acceleration of the Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR), of which Phase 1 will involve more than 8 million recipients.
Households earning up to RM5,000 a month to receive RM300 each, while singles earning up to RM2,000 per month to receive RM150.
Final payment of Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN 2.0) will be brought forward from Jan 21 onwards, with 11.1 million recipients to receive total payment of RM2.38 billion.
Muhyiddin announced that the Employment Provident Fund (EPF) will be providing an advance of up to RM1,000 from the amount applied under the i-Sinar Category 2 facility.
The i-Sinar Category 2 advance withdrawal process has also been simplified as members need to only provide a self-declaration that they meet the prescribed criteria and submit the supporting documents online.
In supporting business continuity, Muhyiddin announced that the Wage Subsidy Programme 3.0 will be enhanced, whereby all employers operating in MCO states eligible to apply
For one month period, eligible employers will receive subsidy of RM600 for each employee with pay of less than RM4,000, limited to 500 workers.
He also announced the Prihatin Special Grant Plus assistance to cover some 500,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in seven MCO states with a payment of RM1,000 each, while 300,000 SMEs will receive RM500 each. This assistance involve a sum of RM650 million.
One off financial assistance of RM500 will also be provided to 14,000 tourist guides as well as 118,000 drivers of taxis, school buses, tour buses, rental cars and e-hailing vehicles.
To finance the Permai assistance package, Muhyiddin said the government will reallocate existing funds based on current priorities and through more prudent spending.
“The government will also ensure that all initiatives announced are implemented expediently and effectively,” he added.