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KUALA LUMPUR: Direct and indirect assistance to vulnerable groups under the 2021 Budget will provide adequate relief for them to survive the economic uncertainty posed by the Covid-19 pandemic next year.
Measures that include cash aid under the Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (Prihatin), financial assistance for disabled groups, and B40 home-specific loan repayments will certainly cushion the impact of economic anxiety, according to Sunway University Business School economics professor, the Dr. Yeah Kim Leng.
“(Under the 2021 budget) there are also rehire incentives and wage subsidies, improvement and recycling programs, as well as various other social protection measures.
“All of these measures will provide beneficiaries with adequate relief to survive in 2021 in case the economic recovery falters,” he told Bernama recently.
During the presentation of the 2021 Budget on November 6, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz announced an allocation of Ringgit 6.5 billion for Prihatin that will benefit 8.1 million people and an allocation of Ringgit 2.2 billion to help groups with disabilities.
Tengku Zafrul also announced that the government will improve its specific assistance for loan repayment, which will include additional repayment options for groups B40, M40 and micro-enterprises.
According to Yeah, it is also important that the social welfare department and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) keep an eye out for people severely affected by the Covid-19 crisis who, for some reason, might not receive the help.
He said that given the extensive data collection and cash disbursement programs implemented over the years, the government should have a comprehensive database of those belonging to needy and disadvantaged groups.
“An open and easily accessible window to register new recipients could be available to cover those left behind, or those whose financial situation unexpectedly worsens next year,” he said.
He did add that more cash assistance would be needed for low-income households if the pandemic drags on and the economic recovery does not materialize by the second half of 2021.
In addition to vulnerable groups and B40, the 2021 Budget also listed various incentives for front-line health ministers as a sign of recognition for their services, including a one-time payment of RM 500 and the continuation of their monthly allowance of RM 600. until the pandemic is successfully overcome.
The president of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), Dr. Subramaniam Muniandy, said that the one-time payment that will benefit some 100,000 frontline members will be an encouragement to them.
He said that while the announcement will really lift the spirits of those on the front lines, the government should also consider contracted medical officers who are still unsure of their future.
“While the one-time payment is a moral boost, it is only momentary, as they (contract officers) are not sure if they will still have their jobs at the end of the day. Many of these leaders face uncertainty about their employment, as a considerable number of them have a contract, ”he said.
Dr Subramaniam added that it is difficult to allocate a budget to managing a pandemic, and the allocation of RM1 billion under the 2021 Budget to contain the third wave of Covid-19 may seem like a substantial amount, but there is no way to know if it is enough.
“There should also be greater transparency and accountability over the spending of this allocation with a proper bidding system and purchasing process in place to ensure adequate budget control and avoid any waste,” he said.
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