PETALING JAYA: The Finance Ministry has reinstated the cost of living aid (Bantuan Sara Hidup, BSH) for those who are not married.

The ministry said about three million eligible single Malaysians would get RM100 each, which would be credited into their bank accounts in March.

In a statement on Tuesday (Feb 19), Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the payout made to those classified as single based on the existing 2018 BSH database.

Under the previous Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) scheme, which was renamed as BSH, unmarried individuals above 21 years old and earning less than RM2,000 a month were eligible for the cash aid of RM450, but the category was abolished.

Lim added that the payout this time would involve RM300mil in government funds.

He said the decision was made following feedback from Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He added that the rate for singles' BSH aid for 2019 would be reviewed and presented to the Cabinet for a decision.

In an immediate reaction, Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin urged the government to reinstate the RM450 cash aid for singles.