SHAH ALAM, Oct 19: Individuals in the middle-income group (M40) who have lost their jobs or experienced a drop in income may submit an appeal immediately to have their eligibility for government assistance re-evaluated.
Berita Harian reported that Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong said an appeal process is open daily to ensure that aid recipients whose financial circumstances have changed are not overlooked during eligibility assessments.
“Regarding unemployment, appeals can actually be applied for every day. Any aid recipient whose current status has changed may submit an appeal immediately,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Liew was responding to Kuala Pilah MP Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan’s query on the mechanism for re-evaluating targeted assistance for M40 households, specifically those who have lost their jobs or seen their income decline, yet remain assessed based on previous income records.
He noted that the national unemployment rate remains below four per cent, which he described as reflecting the government’s achievements and commitment.
In a related development, Budget 2027 focuses on the M40 group by increasing the individual tax relief limit from RM9,000 to RM12,000, the first such adjustment since 2010.
Liew said the personal income tax rates for residents have been reduced by one percentage point across certain taxable income brackets; the scope of tax relief has also been expanded to cover expenses for postnatal care, care for parents and grandparents, sports footwear, and children’s education and tuition fees.
To support first-time homeownership, the government has also proposed a full stamp duty exemption on loan agreements and instruments of transfer for homes priced up to RM500,000.
For homes priced above RM500,000 up to RM750,000, a full exemption is granted on the first RM500,000, while the remaining value of the property qualifies for a 50 per cent exemption.
He added that the government aims to expand the middle-income group until it surpasses the B40 group in size, while ensuring the M40 continues to benefit from the initiatives being implemented.
