The Malaysian Insight

THE government’s decision to increase financial aid under the Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia initiative in Budget 2023 is a timely move that will help the lower income group, said recipients.

They said that the increased financial assistance will help them tide over price hikes and inflation.

They added that the amount would be spent to finance school expenses of their children as well as to purchase daily necessities.

Others said the money will come in handy to pay utility bills and rent.

Nor Laila Md Nor, 38, from Kuala Terengganu said she was glad for the aid as she had lost her source of income after being unable to work.

The single mother with three children told The Malaysian Insight that she was now completely dependent on the RM300 monthly financial assistance given by the Department of Social Welfare.

“There’s a lot I can do with the money, paying for my asthma medication, my children’s school expenses and to help settle the house rent arrears,” said Laila.

On Friday, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz announced in Budget 2023 that the government would be expanding the aid, allocating RM7.8 billion which will benefit 8.7 million people.

Under the proposed budget, RM2,500 in aid will be given for households earning less than RM2,500 monthly, while up to RM1,250 of aid will be given to single people and RM3,000 for single parents.

A one-off RM500 incentive is also proposed for female recipients who give birth in 2023.

For the elderly Nazariah Md Taib, 60, the cash assistance will be used to pay utility bills for her house in which she lives alone in Johor Bahru.

Nazariah said that the financial help can also ease her burden as she does not have a regular income after her husband’s death.

“I can use that money to pay for electricity and water because I don’t have a fixed income.”

“Although the payment is made in stages, it can still help ease the burden,” she said.

Trader Nik Ramsusilawati Nik Ramli, 37, from Kuala Terengganu meanwhile said he will use the aid to cover his three children’s school expenses.

“The previous aid that we received was RM2,000, and we used it for our children’s school expenses.”

“Although the money is paid in stages, I am glad to receive this amount,” he said.

Cameraman Yusof Mohd Ali, 42, also plans to use the RM2,500 grant for his children’s schooling needs.

“When there is aid, this is less of a burden on us as parents because the cost of school supplies for four children is not cheap now.”

“I fully support my family on my own so it helps a lot with the aid money.

“At least the money I have can be saved for other uses,” he said.

Housewife Suratul Abdul Bakti, 42, from Tawau, Sabah said that she would allocate the money for daily expenses such as buying kitchen items.

“Before, we used that money for daily shopping, buying kitchen items, and shopping for school children. This time it will be the same.”

“Only this time it feels that the higher amount can help us get more.”

“So it can be a little comfortable because I have five children and only depend on my husband’s income,” she said.

Another recipient Mohd Hariz Mohd Ariffin, 31, plans to use the aid money to end his single life.

However, the assistance will also be used to cover personal needs after losing his source of income due to an accident.

“I’m in the single category, so I want to use the money as part of my marriage savings, if possible.”

“The money is really helpful. I was unable to work for five months and lost my income due to an accident.

“So I had to use my savings to support myself,” said the Terengganu native. – October 10, 2022.