PN's Cash Aid Proposal Rhetorical, Baseless - Kamil Munim

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Perikatan Nasional's (PN) proposal to provide cash assistance of RM6,000, or RM500 per month, to the people is unfounded and merely rhetorical.

Political Secretary to the Minister of Finance, Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim, said PN had the opportunity to implement such measures during its time in power but failed to do so.

"The people should be cautious of such statements and be realistic about the nation's financial capacity.

"When he (Hamzah Zainudin) had the power, this was not implemented. Only now, after losing power, are such statements being made," he told reporters after opening the 10th ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Carnival at the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) Exhibition and Convention Centre here today.

He was responding to Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin's proposal in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday to reintroduce the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) aid of up to RM6,000 a year.

Muhammad Kamil said the aid distributed during PN's administration was partially funded by the government and also sourced from the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).

"The total cash assistance distributed by the current government is significantly higher compared to two or three years ago.

"For example, the previous BPN scheme offered a maximum of RM2,000, whereas the current Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) allows a household to receive up to RM4,600," he added.

-- BERNAMA