The Malaysian Insight

DEWAN Rakyat today passed the Temporary Measures for Government Financing (Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19)) (Amendment) Bill 2020, to add RM20 billion to the Covid-19 Fund under Budget 2021.

 

Earlier Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz told the house the additional allocation was for the Prihatin economic stimulus package and related aid programmes.

“The allocation is for Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (RM14 billion), cover Covid-19 related expenses (RM4 billion), wage subsidy programme (RM1.5 billion), and Prihatin special grant (RM500 million).”

He said this would provide support for frontline personnel, the B40 group, and help with the country’s economic recovery.

With the additional sum, the Covid-19 Fund now has RM65 billion.

Lim Guan Eng (Bagan-PH) asked Zafrul how much of it had been spent.

“A total of RM38 billion of the original RM45 billion has been spent on all 31 initiatives listed under Act 430 of the temporary measures bill,” said the finance minister. – December 17, 2020.