LOW-INCOME singles prefer medical and grocery subsidies instead of the recently announced RM100 Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) aid which will cost the government RM300 million.

The government said on Tuesday it is reinstating aid to singles from the B40 group, with payout to be made end of March.

Some recipients, however, are unhappy with the one-off RM100 payment.

Rather than cash, these singles suggested that the government look into aiding them through medical and grocery subsidies and even through lower interest rates for bank loans.

Under the previous Barisan Nasional administration, singles aged above 21 and those earning less than RM2,000 a month received RM450. Pakatan Harapan, however, abolished this his category.

The BSH programme is a continuation of the now-defunct BR1M (1Malaysia People’s Aid) which gives cash assistance to the bottom 40% of income earners (B40) to cope with living costs.

Single mother Abigail Chu, 28, who falls under that bracket, said RM100 is “nonsensical” and is of no use to her.

“What is the point of the payment? We are not asking for a payout,” she said, adding that even the BR1M payments were more useful than this.

Chu, who works in retail and is the sole breadwinner, said the government should focus on helping single people, especially parents, with other initiatives, such as bank loans.

“A lower bank loan interest rate for singles to buy houses and cars or even subsidies will be more welcome than RM100… that is such a measly amount, especially for single parents like myself,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

Syafiq Hamid, 25, who works in the food and beverage line said that the government should know that RM100 will not go far these days.

“RM100 can’t buy you much these days. It can’t even cover small expenses like transport and daily meals.”

He said the RM100 payment is a short-term solution and the government should focus on more long-term policies, such as increasing the minimum wage.

“They should increase the minimum wage which is now RM1,100. This would help everyone, not only the singles in the country, a long-term solution will be better than a short-term one like this.”

When asked what he would do with the money, Syafiq said that there’s nothing much he can do with it.

 Another detractor of the RM100 payout, Dalnor Zachary, 27, said that the government should just keep the money instead.

“It’s so stupid that they would think of giving such a small amount. They’re better off not giving the money at all,” said Dalnor, a full-time musician.

Another single mother of three, Eileen Jeyabalan, 33, who runs a catering business said she could not believe it when she read the announcement.

“I thought it was ridiculous that they’re giving such a small amount. It’s a pitiful sum of money,” she said, adding that they are not asking for handouts but the sum is nearly useless.

However, some recipients defended the government on social media.

Facebook user Echeah Mw said Malaysians should stop complaining and be grateful.

“Why are so many Malaysians perpetual complainers? Why don’t they have anything to be grateful for? Previous government complain, new government also complain, forever blaming the government for your predicaments… Very ungrateful people,” he said.

Another user, Alfyro Ozaer said those unhappy with the money should give it to charity.

“Be thankful, your government is trying to help you despite your economic situation right now. To other citizens who feel the amount is not deserving, why not donate to some charitable organisations, I am sure they will appreciate it more,” he said.

Razin K. Nizar said on Facebook cash payouts are pointless when it comes to fighting poverty.

“The giving of cash handouts is not an effort to reduce wealth inequality or to address poverty – it is merely a tool to gain political mileage. Cash handouts never work in reducing wealth inequality,” he said.

The Finance Ministry said about three million eligible singles will get the RM100 payment, which will be credited into their bank accounts next month. – February 21, 2019.