The Government of Malaysia is committed in helping its citizens who are in needs. There are numerous of policies and programs that has been introduced to cater for these needs. Here is some of them:
The ‘Bantuan Sara Hidup’ (Household Living Aid) or BSH is an aid from the Government intended for certain categories of receivers. The aid is given in cash to the receivers who are qualified according to a set of criteria that has been announced by the Government. Besides aid in form of cash, those who are entitled to receive the BSH would also entitled to a ‘Skim Khairat Kematian’ (Death Benefit Scheme).
The B40 National Protection Scheme or known as mySalam is a national health protection scheme aimed at providing free takaful (equivalent to insurance) health protection to B40 individuals who are also the recipients of the Household Living Aid (BSH) and individuals in the M40 category who earns gross income of less than RM 100,000.00 per year. The BSH recipients who are aged 18 to 55 years and their spouse are qualified for this scheme.
The RM40 Electric Rebate Program is a targeted Government assistance program to finance monthly electricity bills of up to RM40 to hardcore poor and poor families who are registered and certified in the eKasih System. Eligible users will receive a free electricity bill of up to RM40 per month.
My100 and My50 are passes that offer commuters unlimited rides on Rapid KL rail and bus network for 30 consecutive days. Commuters can travel multiple times in a day on any Rapid KL rail or bus network, with the fare capped at the fee of RM100 for 30 days for unlimited rides on the LRT, MRT, Monorail, BRT, Rapid KL’s bus and MRT feeder bus services; or RM50 for 30 days for unlimited rides only on Rapid KL’s bus and MRT feeder bus services, excluding BRT.
‘Bantuan Awal Persekolahan’ (Back-to-shcool aid) is aimed at alleviating the burden on children’s school expenses incurred by parents or guardians especially at the beginning of the year. This assistance is given to Year 1 to Form 5 pupils or its equivalent from families with gross household Income of RM3,000.00 and below.
The Implementation of the EPF Scheme for Housewives (i-SURI) was introduced to create social networks and further empower women’s rights and recognize the importance of women’s role. The target groups to benefit under this scheme are all housewives to Household Head, Household Head among single mothers, widows and unmarried women who are registered in the e-Kasih System under the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) of Prime Minister’s Department Minister.
The ‘Skim Peduli Kesihatan untuk Kumpulan B40’ (Health Care Scheme for Group B40) or PeKa B40 is a Government initiative through the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) which aims to cater to the health needs of the low-income group, focusing on non-communicable diseases (NCDs). PeKa B40 is offered to Malaysians within the lowest 40% household income, known as the B40 group. Recipients of BSH and their spouses, aged 50 years and above, are automatically eligible for PeKa B40. No special registration is required to join PeKa B40.
The i-Sinar program was introduced to assist members who are affected by the current pandemic COVID-19 situation. Affected members who wish to take out funds are able to apply online starting from 21st December 2020. The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) announces the criteria and details of the i-Sinar facility, which is now open to up to 8 million eligible members.