THE 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) was a good initiative, but it did not reach those who deserved it, said Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

The women, family and community development minister said while the amount allocated was hefty, it was not evenly distributed.

“BR1M was good, RM7 billion was allocated for it. However, one household could have eight children, while another has just one child, but they get the same amount (as the bigger family).

“This shows that BR1M did not serve its purpose,” she told reporters in Putrajaya today.

Dr Wan Azizah, who is also deputy prime minister, cited as examples Sabah and Kelantan, where the BR1M allocation did not reflect the states’ poverty rate.

She said such aid must reach the target groups, comprising households that really need it.

“BR1M was also not given to the target groups. There were households that had an income of RM3,000, but still received BR1M.”

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad previously announced that BR1M would be continued, but it would be reviewed to ensure that only the deserving poor received it.

He had said he did not want the people to view BR1M as a bribe to gain their support, but instead, the aid should be seen as an initiative to curb social problems.

Later, Putrajaya announced a replacement to BR1M, called Bantuan Sara Hidup Malaysia, or Cost of Living Aid. – June 21, 2018.