Secretary-General of Treasury viewed that only the rich people criticised and complained about the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M).

Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah today said that the low-income group only want the government to continue with the financial subsidy as it has helped reduce their burden.

“A research conducted by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) revealed that 83.4 per cent people from the low-income group want BR1M to continue,” he said.

“The only people who complaint about BR1M are from the affluent families, not the poor. The rich don’t get BR1M,” said Mohd Irwan at a Press conference about BR1M at the Ministry of Finance here today.

Mohd Irwan also hoped that the target group eligible to receive BR1M would use the money accordingly.

“The poor are dependent of BR1M as they can benefit from the aid,” he added.

He stressed that BR1M is not a form of bribery which is similar to aides channelled by several States including Selangor and Pulau Pinang.

“If we look at Selangor and Pulau Pinang, the State governments offer a variety of aides including Skim Mesra Usia Emas, water subsidy and Skim Pelajar Emas, to name a few.

“So, are these subsidies seen as corruption? No, right?” said Mohd Irwan.

He also added the government will continue in ensuring all existing mechanisms would benefit the rakyat.

“Some claimed that we give the rakyat fish but failed to provide the fishing rod? As a matter of fact, the government provide both to the rakyat in order for them to benefit from the trainings to take themselves out of poverty and move upward,” he added.

Mohd Irwan said BR1M was introduced in the country just like how other countries including Indonesia, Brazil and Australia are doing.

“This is the subsidy for the low-income group to reduce their burden. Just like the recent Budget, BR1M can also be used to buy cars like Proton and discussions are ongoing. Proton will offer discounts. BR1M recipients can become Uber drivers (as part-time job).

The government he said is also reviewing the distribution of BR1M to ensure that the subsidy is properly channelled to the needy.

BR1M payout is expected to be in Feb.