Muhyiddin announces new KitaPrihatin package for bottom, middle-income groups

Radzi Razak

23 September 2020 at 3:33 am·3-min read

A man watches a live telecast of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s speech in Kuala Lumpur September 23, 2020. ― Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 — Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today announced new packages for Malayia’s middle income group and the bottom 40 per cent wage earners treading water in the Covid-19 economy.

In a special address broadcast nationwide, Muhyiddin said his Perikatan Nasional government is continuing two initiatives introduced under the KitaPrihatin programme earlier this year. One is a wage subsidy known as WSP 2.0 and the second a cash assistance known as BPN 2.0.

The financial assistance for the two income groups categorised as B40 and M40.

Under WSP 2.0, subsidies to supplement the wages of employees will be given to businesses that have seen their revenue reduced by 30 per cent during the ongoing recovery movement control order (RMCO) compared to the same period last year.

The wage subsidy will last for three months at a rate of RM600 per month for each employee up to a maximum of 200 employees.

Applications are open from October 1 until December 31, 2020.

He said WSP 2.0 is open to companies that have registered with the Social Security Organisation (Socso) as at August 31.

The prime minister also announced a second round of cash assistance as part of the KitaPrihatin economic recovery package.

He said this is aimed at helping Malaysians face the hardships brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and the various movement control orders imposed since March 18 to contain the virus.

Muhyiddin said RM7 billion has been allocated for BPN 2.0 which will benefit 10.6 million recipients.

For the B40 group, families are set to receive RM1,000 while those who are single will receive RM500.

However, he said “for the B40 families, the first payment in October will be RM700 while in January, RM300”.

As for the M40 group, families will receive RM600 while those who are single will receive RM300.

Payment will be made in two installments; the first one will be disbursed next month and the second in January 2021.

Those who qualify will not have to apply for BPN 2.0 as the database used is based on the previous BPN aid.

Muhyiddin said those who did not qualify for the previous BPN aid can submit a fresh application to the government this time to be included.

The PM asked Malaysians not to be overwhelmed and influenced by strife during this pandemic, but to stay united.

“Remember, every action we take can determine not only our own safety, but also the safety of those close to us — our children, our parents, our relatives, our friends, and the community around us.

“The Covid-19 epidemic and its effects on human life do not discriminate between races, religions or political persuasions.

“We are all affected by this epidemic without exception. Therefore, let us together deal with this epidemic as a family,” he said.