One-off RM500 aid for 180,000 army veterans

PETALING JAYA: Some 180,000 army veterans who are non-pensioners will get a one-off RM500 financial assistance under the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package, says Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz (pic).

“One of the issues raised was the RM500 special allowance for about 1.4 million civil servants, but army veterans who are non-pensioners were sidelined.

“The government has decided to extend this allowance to about 180,000 army veterans in the spirit of the stimulus package so that no one is left behind, ” he said in an announcement on Facebook.

He also noted that there had also been grouses from frontliners who said it was difficult to apply for the special monthly allowance under the stimulus package.

“There was feedback that the procedures are too rigid, ” said Tengku Zafrul.

“We have agreed to make the application process easier and have given power to department heads to facilitate the process.”

Under the package, health and medical personnel will get RM600 allowance, while members of the Armed Forces, police, Customs, Immigration, Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Force and the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) will get RM200.

On the RM4bil to support businesses in particular small scale projects, Tengku Zafrul said the government was speeding up documentation for the projects and will begin the online bidding award process to allow equal opportunities for contractors.

“Agencies handling the implementation of the projects have also been given the power to issue approval letters for G1 and G2 small scale projects, ” he said.

Meanwhile, regarding the stimulus package, Tengku Zafrul apologised if some matters had been overlooked or the ministry was slow in responding, as they have been inundated with thousands of emails and calls including getting feedback from the media on various matters related to the stimulus package.

He added that the government was trying its best to address the issues raised following the implementation of the stimulus package.