Photo via Malay Mail
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has unveiled a new stimulus package worth RM10 billion called ‘Kita Prihatin’, to help the country bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic.
In a special address to the nation today (September 23rd), Muhyiddin announced that the government will be continuing two initiatives introduced under the Kita Prihatin programme earlier this year - a wage subsidy known as WSP 2.0 and a cash assistance known as BPN 2.0.
Four groups of Malaysians will benefit from this package - people under the B40 and M40 income groups who are either single or have families, workers from every industry, and micro businesses.
Families and single Malaysians in the B40 group will receive RM1,000 and RM500 respectively, while those in the M40 group will receive RM600 and RM300 respectively.
Payments will be made in two installments - the first next month, and the next one in January 2021.
The database used is based on the previous BPN aid, so you will not have to apply for BPN 2.0 unless you didn’t sign up the first time.
Under WSP 2.0, RM2.4 billion will be allocated to help companies that are still affected by the pandemic, as well as the Movement Control Order (MCO).
This will last for three months (October 1st-December 31st, 2020) at a rate of RM600 per month for each employee up to a maximum of 200 employees.
Muhyiddin said companies which did not manage to benefit from the first wage subsidy programme because they were not registered with the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) can qualify for the scheme after registration.
by Kyle Roshen Jacob
