PAKATAN Harapan will continue to distribute the country’s wealth equally to all of its citizens, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today.

He said this at the launch of the government’s new scheme for the poor – the national B40 protection scheme (MySalam).

The insurance scheme is designed for those in the bottom 40 group and covers more than 36 critical illnesses, including AIDS, Alzheimer’s, blindness, cancer and heart attack.

“I am happy that this scheme is another initiative to help the B40 group in their daily lives. In our effort to become a develop country, we must not measure ourselves in terms of how many buildings we build or the growth of our economy.

“Better living, more power to purchase and wealth distribution are better ways to measure our success. We will continue to share the country’s wealth together with everyone in order for us to prosper and live harmoniously,” he said at the launch of the scheme in Putrajaya.

Present were Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng and Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Dr Mahathir said as a responsible government, PH understands the hardship faced by those who lost their jobs because of illness or misfortune.

Last year, Lim said the scheme, with an initial fund size of RM2 billion as announced in Budget 2019, would benefit some 4.1 million B40 households.

“This scheme will provide health insurance and takaful protection to qualified low-income households, or B40, as assistance to cope with hardship arising from health issues, critical illness and hospitalisation that may adversely impact (on) the income streams of their households,” he said then.

Recipients will receive payment for up to RM8,000, with disbursement over a yet-to-be-announced period.

The scheme also gives pays income replacement in the event of hospitalisation for up to 14 days at RM50 per day, or RM700 per year.

Lim added that the scheme’s registration and customer support services will begin on March 1 and can be done online. – January 24, 2019.