Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy), Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed has reassured the public that targeted assistance will continue to be provided under the 12^th Malaysia Plan (12MP) despite the country’s widened fiscal deficit at almost 7%.

The minister reiterated that part of the community should receive assistance, and that it is the government’s responsibility to help them. “For those who are bedridden, unable to work, [and] people with serious disabilities, it is the government’s responsibility to protect their interests,” he said, adding that the government spends about RM25 billion each year on various assistance. These include aids provided through the Social Welfare Department, scholarships, and subsidies.

For context, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had unveiled the 12^th Malaysia Plan (12MP) yesterday, detailing the various targets that the government hopes to achieve between 2021 to 2025. One of the main focuses mentioned is the goal to improve the welfare of the B40 and M40 income groups.

In light of the aim, targeted assistance such as cash handouts and social protection will be continued to help increase income and address the rising cost of living for B40 households as well as vulnerable groups. Additionally, the prime minister also noted that the country’s fiscal deficit had widened to 6.2% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) due to the mayhem caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Aside from commenting on the provision of targeted assistance, Datuk Seri Mustapa also stated that the government is in the midst of developing a social protection database, where all types of assistance that can obtained by each recipient will be featured. The project – which was proposed by former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin – is expected to be fully completed by the end of October 2021.

(Source: Malay Mail)

• TAGS:
• 12th Malaysia Plan
• 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP)
• B40
• B40 Households
• Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed
• Financial Assistance
• Household Income
• M40
• M40 Households