In late June 2021, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin unveiled the financial aid called Pakej Perlindungan Rakyat dan Pemulihan Ekonomi or PEMULIH to help Malaysian citizens and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and especially after the enforced lockdown.
The RM150 billion package includes financial assistance to support businesses, individuals, families and increasing the vaccination rate in the country. Under the PEMULIH package, the Special COVID Aid or also known as Bantuan Khas COVID-19 (BKC) worth a total of RM4.6 billion, will be helping senior citizens, single people and 11 million households. Here is a breakdown of the key components of the financial aids available to you during this pandemic:
Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR) payments
Under the Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat, eligible households and individuals who applied earlier this year are entitled to an additional RM500 in cash assistance which will be paid in stages starting from 29 June 2021.
i-Citra
For Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) or KWSP contributors under the age of 55, you are able to withdraw a maximum of RM5,000 (subject to the total combined balance of Account 1 and Account 2) from August 2021 to December 2021. Under i-Citra, you will receive a fixed amount of RM1,000 per month which is dependent on your total balance and you must maintain a balance of RM100 after the full withdrawal is completed.
The application can be made through the i-Citra online portal from the 15th of July 2021. It is also important to note that under i-Citra, the initial withdrawal will be made fully from Account 2 before Account 1.
Special COVID Aid (BKC)
Household below the poverty line (under RM2200)
Entitled to receive a total of RM1,300 in cash assistance. RM500 will be provided in August and November 2021. In December 2021, these households are entitled to RM300.
Single persons below the poverty (under RM2200)
For hardcore poor individuals, a total amount of RM500 will be provided. Individuals will receive RM200 in August and RM300 in December.
B40 households
Entitled to receive a total of RM800 in cash assistance. RM500 will be provided in August 2021 and RM300 in December.
B40 single persons
For single individuals, a total sum of RM200 will be provided in August 2021.
M40 households and single persons
Those in this group will receive a total of RM250 in cash assistance in August and RM100 respectively.
Bank loan moratorium
All individual borrowers are entitled to an unconditional 6-month moratorium on bank loans regardless of income classification. SMEs or micro-entrepreneurs are also eligible, however, this is subject to approval from the banks or financial institutions involved.
Income or employment loss assistance
Based on EPF and SOCSO, those who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic are entitled to RM500 in cash assistance this year. It is estimated that a total of 1 million individuals will benefit from this aid.
Income or employment loss assistance for people with different abilities (OKU)
Differently-abled individuals who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be provided financial assistance of RM500. A total amount of RM30 million has been allocated to help a total of 20,000 people with disabilities in Malaysia.
Assistance for job-seekers or non-SOCSO contributors
Cash assistance of RM300 is given to informal sector workers, fresh graduates and school leavers once they have registered in the MYFuturejobs platform.
MARA education loan
MARA education loan repayments will be deferred for a period of 3 months or loan borrowers can spread their monthly payments to 12 months for as little as RM100 a month.
National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan
Borrowers are provided with a 3-month moratorium for both PTPTN and PTPK loans.
Public Service Department (JPA) education loan
JPA borrowers are able to defer their payment for 6 months and this includes payment of compensation claims under the federal scholarship programmes.
Insurance premiums and Takaful contributions
Policyholders are able to opt-in for deferment of payment for insurance premiums and Takaful contributions. This includes life insurance and family Takaful products.
Internet facilities
Daily free 1GB internet access has been extended until the end of the year.
PEMULIH 2021
For the full information on the PEMULIH stimulus package, please refer to the full statement here.
We hope this information will help you to understand the financial aids available to you at this time that can protect your livelihoods during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, we can continue to do our part by adhering to the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) to curb the spread of the virus and ultimately lift the restrictions completely.
