BPR a relief for those struggling to make ends meet

Thankful for the assistance: Khairul Anuwar (left) and Zainal Abidin.

PETALING JAYA: Next year’s Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR) financial aid will be a relief for those most affected by a tumultuous 2020.

Many of them interviewed said the assistance under Budget 2021 would alleviate their hardship following jobs lost or income reduced due to the pandemic and subsequent movement control order.

Intan Baiduri Residents Association (IBRA) committee member Khairul Anuwar Yusoff said many B40 residents at the people’s housing project in Kuala Lumpur were struggling to make ends meet.

“We even had to organise food aid and other necessities for several families as they did not have any other source of income.

“I am sure there are similar cases all over the country and they are in dire need, ” he said.

He added that the committee would be helping its residents to apply for any other subsidies and welfare aid they are likely to qualify for under Budget 2021.

Visually challenged busker Godfrey Ooi, 72, said the increased cash aid for the disabled community would go a long way to ease their burden.

Financial assistance for people with disabilities (PWDs), who are unable to work, has been increased from RM250 to RM300, while financial assistance for older persons, caregivers of bed-ridden PWDs and chronically ill patients has been increased from RM350 to RM500.

The rate for incentive allowance for disabled workers has also been increased from RM400 to RM450.

Ooi, who was born with retinopathy of prematurity and had been blind since childhood, noted many PWD who used to be able to work struggled during the MCO.

“Many have not been able to find other employment. Any increase in allocation would be a boon as it may take some time before the economy improves, ” he said.

Among the allocations for seniors under Budget 2021 was increased funding for Citizen Activity Centres (PAWE) from RM33,000 a year to RM50,000 as well as additional tax deductions for employers who hire seniors. These deductions will continue until 2025.

PAWE Putrajaya chairman Zainal Abidin Yahya said the increased allocation would allow them to carry out more activities next year.

“With the previous RM33,000 allocation, at least 70% would go towards operational costs and utilities fees.

“But with the extra aid, we can allocate more towards carrying out activities that would be beneficial to our members, ” he said, adding that there were currently about 250 seniors joining their various programmes.

He added that they worked with several universities to teach seniors useful skills such as urban farming and technology-based programmes.

“We have managed to establish long-term projects with the previous allocations, such as urban farms near or around residential areas where our members live.

“This is part of the five pillars we practise at the centre; healthy ageing, active ageing, productive ageing, positive ageing and conducive environment, ” he said.