Spell out criteria for RM500 aid, Govt urged

Monday November 21, 2011

LABIS: The MCA Young Professionals Bureau has urged the Government to spell out clear guidelines on the criteria for the RM500 aid.

“Are those already receiving aid from the Welfare Department and retirees allowed to apply? What about odd-job workers with no fixed income?” asked its chairman Datuk Chua Tee Yong.

Under Budget 2012, the Government had announced the one-off cash assistance for households with a monthly income of RM3,000 and less.

Chua questioned whether the income of offspring would be included in the calculation of “household income” together with their parents’ salaries.

He also urged those waiting for the cash aid from the Government not to believe anyone who offered to help them apply for the funds as the application guidelines had not been issued yet.

Chua said he had received a number of complaints about people who wanted to charge a fee for helping to apply for the aid.

He hoped the cash aid exercise would be carried out throughout the year instead of people having to send in their applications within a stipulated period.

Speaking after visiting his constituency here yesterday, Chua who is also Labis MP, took a jibe at Pakatan Rakyat for criticising the Federal Government’s ability to reduce the national deficit without realising there were huge debts in its own backyard.

He said the Opposition should be aware of Budget deficit problems in states like Selangor and Penang.

The Government, he said, had to ensure a balance in reducing deficit and boosting economic growth.

“If the focus is all on reducing deficit, it may affect economic growth and this will cause a higher unemployment rate and slow down economic and business activities,” he said.

At another event, Chua said he had heard of cases where people not affected by floods in Labis had received relief payment.

Despite not being deserving cases, he said they had capitalised on the generosity of the public and the Government’s goodwill.

“I understand that the National Security Council is working with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and police to take action against those who give false information about their situation,” he said after a flood relief presentation to 394 people from Labis, Chaah and Tenang, who were affected by floods earlier this year.
Earlier, a commotion occurred at the council hall during the distribution of flood relief when people rushed to claim the money.

-The Star-