All Malaysians aged 18 an above will receive a MYR100 (US$24) cash assistance to celebrate the country’s national day on August 31.
The cash, usable until the end of this year, will be issued through the country’s identification card MyKad and can be used for purchasing essential goods at over 4,100 stores nationwide, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced Wednesday, as reported by The Star.
Eligible retailers include supermarkets such as Mydin, Lotus’s, Econsave and 99Speedmart, as well as shops across the country.
 |
|
This picture taken on March 11, 2023 shows people riding in a trishaw in George Town on Malaysia’s Penang island. Photo by AFP |
Around 22 million Malaysians are set to benefit from the scheme. A family of four adults can receive MYR400 as the incentive is issued on an individual basis, the PM said, as reported by state-owned media Bernama.
A total of MYR2 billion is expected to be spent, marking the first time cash assistance is distributed to adult citizens, he added.
The measures were announced ahead of a planned protest in Kuala Lumpur on July 26, demanding Anwar’s resignation due to rising prices and unfulfilled reform promises, among other issues.
Anwar has introduced several measures this year to enhance revenue and productivity, including raising the minimum wage, increasing electricity tariffs for heavy users, and imposing new sales taxes on certain imported fruits and luxury goods.
He emphasized that these policies primarily target large businesses and the wealthy, but critics warn that the increased costs could trickle down to lower and middle-income consumers.
