Abul Hakam
GEORGE TOWN: Although RM100 may not seem much by today’s standards, many welcome the allocation in ewallet as it is the government’s sincerity in helping the people.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) cleaner Mohamad Shahid Che Hassan from Kepala Batas, said he would treat the money as a bonus for his family.
The 33-year-old, whose wife is not working, and has two sons aged four and two, said his salary with overtime claims would come up to about RM2,000 monthly.
“The bulk of it goes to food and ingredients which comes up to more than RM1,000 already.
“After covering instalments for the house and car, I am usually left with little to no savings.
Koay“However, we are thankful for the extra RM100 because it is better than nothing and I can use it to treat my family,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had announced an allocation of RM1bil for citizens earning RM100,000 and below during the launch of the Madani Economy initiative on July 27.
The aid in form of RM100 e-cash credit will be channelled to all citizens aged 21 and above within the B40 and M40 groups, it will be rolled out in the fourth quarter of this year.
Deputy Finance Minister II Steven Sim said the government would fulfil its promise to provide RM100 ewallet assistance to eligible recipients in December.
He said the impact of the initiative was not limited to the recipients’ households but also extended to the local market, especially small traders and hawkers.
“I believe the government is trying its best and while the amount does not seem like a lot to higher income groups, it will benefit a household if multiple members receive the aid together,” said coffeeshop owner Koay Tatt Huat, 51.
Noor Mohamad“Many of my customers have been affected by financial constraints while suppliers kept increasing the price for our ingredients.
“To keep prices affordable to my customers, I’m not making a big profit.
“Hopefully the government’s aid will provide financial relief to customers and allow them to support my business more as the money will circulate among the people,” he said.
Koay, who adopted the usage of ewallet payment four years ago, said the service had provided convenience and added security to his business.
“The money paid to my ewallet account will be credited to my bank savings account every few days.
“There have been times when customers tried to cheat and scam us with false epayment receipts, but the benefits of ewallet payments outweighs the disadvantages that comes with it.
Mohamad Shahid.“Transactions are quicker, I save myself the hassle of returning loose change and exchanging coins from banks, and it is overall a cleaner system through digital means without worrying about losing cash on hand,” he said.
However, there are still those who have yet to adopt using ewallet and face the possibility of losing their RM100 aid when it is disbursed.
Flower garland maker Noor Mohamad KS Naina Mohamad, 57 from Kulim, Kedah, who earns RM60 daily, does not use any ewallet app on his phone.
He said it was too complicated and did not mind missing out on the RM100 aid.
“We cannot do much with RM100 these days and it’s too much of a hassle for me to use the app.
“All my nine children are grown up and working, so I am relieved of my financial burdens,” he said.
But 47-year-old MBPP cleaner Abul Hakam Abdul Kadir, who has yet to download an ewallet app, said he would have to do it now to receive the financial aid and any further support after this.
“It has always been cash payment for me. But I’ve heard of ewallet and it seems that more people are using it nowadays.
“Yes, perhaps I will get someone to assist me and start using it,” said Abul Hakam, who has three children aged 20, 17 and four.
