THE 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) will be paid out next month before Hari Raya Aidilfitri and will be given a different name, said Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng today.

He said he is confirming what Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said following Pakatan Harapan’s victory in the May 9 polls, that the cash aid would be continued.

“As instructed by (the prime minister), BR1M (which will be given another name) will be paid out in June before Hari Raya Aidilfitri,” Lim tweeted.

“More information will be announced next week.”

The announcement comes as Umno ramps up criticism of the PH government for axing 17,000 civil service contracts based on political appointments.

The Barisan Nasional lynchpin denied that they were “crony-based” appointments, and said many were low-earning jobs in the civil service.

Dr Mahathir had said essential and low-earning staff would be retained, but under revised contracts.

The prime minister had also said BR1M would be reviewed to ensure that only the deserving received the aid.

The previous BN government had allocated RM6.8 billion for 7.2 million recipients this year. The first payment was made in March. After next month’s payment will be the year’s third and final payment, which is scheduled for August. – May 26, 2018.