MUHYIDDIN HINTS AT RM1,000 BR1M

With the people at heart: Muhyiddin (right) distributing BR1M cash to villagers at the Pagoh MCA division’s Chinese New Year celebration in Bukit Pasir in Muar.

 

TANGKAK: The 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) may be increased from RM500 to RM1,000 if Barisan Nasional is given a new mandate by the people, says Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said BR1M was not a fairy tale but a conviction that would be continued by the Barisan-led government if it was returned to power in the next general election.

“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib (Tun Razak) mentioned it two days ago in Johor. Some people asked whether there would be BR1M 3 and BR1M 4.

“He (Najib) said yes' provided Barisan stays in power. Who knows, if our coffers increase, the RM500 aid will become RM1,000,” he said when handing over BR1M to 2,042 people from the Bukit Serampang state constituency in Felda Sri Jaya here.

He urged the people, especially those in the low and middle-income groups, not to treat good fortune with disdain but continue to support the Barisan Government strongly to guarantee a better future.

Muhyiddin, who is Pagoh Umno division chairman, said the Government had always fulfilled its promises, unlike the Opposition, which would make all sorts of promises that it could not fulfil.

Later, at the Pagoh MCA Chinese New Year celebration, Muhyiddin announced a RM300,000 allocation to 30 Chinese NGOs in the Bukit Pasir area.

At a separate function in Muar, Muhyiddin called on Malaysians to defend and support Barisan for a better tomorrow.

Speaking to villagers in Kampung Sungai Alai near Panchor, he said the Government had brought development and improved infrastructure throughout the country.

“There was little infrastructure in this village in the early days. But, today, it has everything, including a mosque and a tarred road.

“The Government provided all these amenities because the people have always supported Barisan Nasional,” he added.

Bukit Serampang assemblyman Datuk Tahir Taat said 14,721 villagers in the Pagoh parliamentary constituency received the 1Malaysia People's Aid this time.

During a function in Muar later, Muhyiddin said plans are under way to give a special aid of RM1,000 to widows of former soldiers who did not have pension.

He said the payment was to honour the contributions of their husbands.

“We will submit the proposal to the Human Resources Ministry. The Prime Minister has the power to decide on it and I will bring up the matter to the Cabinet,” he said before presenting cash aid to retired soldiers in Johor here yesterday.

SOURCE: THE STAR, FEBRUARY 15, 2013