Unity govt initiatives ensure people’s well-being — Fahmi

KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 — Unity government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil says the administration has implemented various initiatives this year to alleviate the people's economic burden.

He said the programmes included increasing allowances and education aid, and facilitating internet access and healthcare.

In a nearly four-minute video on the first series of reports on the government’s performance over its first seven months in power, Fahmi detailed the 19 initiatives implemented under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“God willing, the unity government will continue to ensure the people of Malaysia receive more benefits through other initiatives to be announced later,” said Fahmi, who is also Communications and Digital Minister.

The initiatives include improvements to existing programmes and the introduction of new initiatives aimed at reducing the people’s economic burdens.

The 19 initiatives are as follows:

1. Living allowance for Public Service Department scholars increased from RM1,000 to RM1,100 per month.
2. Schooling aid increased to RM150 from RM100.
3. Free-ride passes for students and people with disabilities using Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) services.
4. Free application for UPU Online instead of RM15 previously.
5. eBeliaRahmah e-wallet credit increased from RM150 to RM200.
6. Cap for Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat, rebranded to Rahmah Cash Aid, increased to RM2,500 from only RM1,800.
7. Release of 130,000 people from the bankruptcy list.
8. Increased allowance for 35,000 Kelas al-Quran dan Fardu Ain (Kafa) teachers to RM1,100 from RM1,000 per month.
9. Aid for imam, bilal, tok siak, noja, marbut, Kafa and takmir teachers increased to RM600 from RM500.
10. Aidilfitri assistance for civil servants increased from RM500 to RM700.
11. Aidilfitri assistance for government pensioners increased from RM250 to RM350.
12. Discounted broadband prices for B40 group of RM69 per month through the Unity Package instead of the earlier RM89 per month.
13. Introduction of free medical services at selected private clinics (Madani Medical Scheme) and affordable insurance and takaful with a minimum monthly premium of RM5 (Rahmah Insurance Package and Rahmah Takaful Package).
14. Introduction of affordable meals for as low as RM5 through Menu Rahmah.
15. Discounts of up to 30 per cent for raw and daily necessities through Madani Sales.
16. Monsoon aid for farmers increased from RM600 to RM800.
17. Introduction of special Aidilfitri assistance for padi farmers, fishermen, and planters amounting to RM200.
18. Padi farmers receive additional aid of RM250 per person from the RM60 million contribution by Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas).
19. Thirty per cent of Bernas’ profits were directly given to padi farmers, in addition to the monthly RM200 assistance for three months, as well as subsidies and incentives for padi prices, fertiliser and seeds.

— Bernama