KUCHING: Sarawak Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) lauded the government’s decision to disburse the Phase 1 of the People’s Cash Aid next month, instead of March 2023.
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement to disburse the cash assistance in January 2023, Mukah branch PKR supported the move in hearing the people’s plight.
Its chief Abdul Jalil Bujang said the early schooling aid of RM150 to all pupils, regardless of parents’ income limit, will help ease the burden of all students.
He advised parents to take advantage of the financial aid and use it wisely for childrens’ progress.
“The money should be spent responsibly in accordance with the government’s goal to develop an educated society, which is to improve the country’s performance as a developed country,” he told Suara Sarawak.
The Phase 1 payment also includes the social welfare assistance of RM300 to each household, the elderly the disabled and RM100 for single recipients.
Meanwhile, Abdul Jalil hoped the Pakatan Harapan government will provide an appropriate mechanism to help vegetable farmers, besides rubber farmers.
It was reported that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim planned to channel additional assistance of RM200 to ensure the welfare of rubber smallholders during the monsoon season.
“Vegetable gardeners’ income has also decreased and they have suffered losses after their gardens were damaged by the rains and floods.
“Their welfare also needs to be taken into account because these people are also affected due to the monsoon season,” he said.
Meanwhile, he urged the Anwar-led government to distribute subsidised fertilisers to farmers who are affected by the high prices of fertilisers in the market.
“It is also understood that many farmers no longer have the ability to continue their farming activities and are forced to find replacement jobs to sustain their daily expenses,” he shared.
The unity government has agreed to continue several aid programmes announced in the previous Budget 2023, whereby the Phase 1 payment will involve an allocation of RM2 billion to benefit almost nine million recipients.
