Needy folk say RM500 aid will come in handy

Needy folk say RM500 aid will come in handy
(go and get YOUR MONEY but make sure you are genuinely qualified and wont get caught for cheating)

KUALA LUMPUR: Many came by bus, others by motorcycle while a few walked to sign up for the RM500 aid given to households earning RM3,000 or less.

At Inland Revenue Board offices and several schools and other designated places, it was all smiles for recipients under BR1M, the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia scheme.

Sivaranam Velayuthan, 61, said the money was very welcome, especially since he is now unemployed. He and his 60-year-old wife only get RM160 monthly welfare aid and depend on their two children to buy them food.

“We pay RM124 a month to rent our flat in Setapak, and after paying for electricity and water, we have nothing left.


Queue for aid: People lining up to register for their RM500 aid at the BR1M registration counter at the IRB office at the government complex along Jalan Duta.
“This RM500 will be very helpful. I feel relieved,” he said at the IRB office at the government complex in Jalan Duta.

Housewife Siti Rohani Mohamed, 37, said the money would help her take care of her elderly parents.

“They do not have any income. My siblings and I support them, and it is always nice to have some help,” she said.

Ken Tin Weng, a 43-year-old supervisor, said the aid would make it a happier Chinese New Year for him and his family.

“The money will help buy things to celebrate Chinese New Year next month,” he said.

Police officer Edut Bansa, 32, said the scheme would help her mother back home in Kapit, Sarawak.

“She's in her 60s and she raised us as a single mother. It's good that I can help her,” she said.

At SMK Aminuddin Baki near the city, single mother Tan Kim Neo said the money would help pay off her utility bills.

The 54-year-old NGO administrator said it would be better if the Government gave such aid monthly, but was happy nonetheless.

Former rubbish collector Yaakub Budin, 82, said the money would ease some of his financial burden, especially since he is living alone.

He said the cost of living had risen and, having lost his wife to cancer 15 years ago, the sprightly old man said he had no one to look after him.

“I live alone, so I also have to take care of my health,” he said.

Retired labourer P. Ramaya, 59, said the money would help supplement his RM400 pension, but added that it was not enough, especially since three of his five children were still studying.

His wife, S. Supperamah, 56, added that with her thyroid condition, money was tight for the family.

“I only earn RM1,000 as a road sweeper and we have to pay for our children's college fees, our household expenses and my medical bills,” she said.

Counters had been opened since yesterday to register Malaysians who qualify for the aid at all IRB offices. The registration will continue till Jan 10.