PUTRAJAYA is having issues collecting data on middle-income earners as they were often neglected by previous administrations, said Mohamed Azmin Ali.

“Perhaps a bit of a challenge is the M40, because in the past, government initiatives paid little attention to them,” the senior minister said on an RTM talk show today.

“Maybe that’s why we do not have complete data (on M40), and this needs to be upgraded so that the right people can receive what they deserve.”

He said the Perikatan Nasional government is also facing problems implementing a quick, effective and transparent cash-transfer system.

The Finance Ministry has set up the Laksana unit to ensure all the initiatives in the RM250 billion stimulus package to mitigate the effects of Covid-19, announced by the prime minister yesterday, are executed quickly and in a transparent manner.

“At the same time, as highlighted by the Finance Ministry, almost every Malaysian citizen has a bank account,” said Azmin.

“Once we’ve determined the target groups – who gets it and who doesn’t – the relevant bodies, especially the ministry and Laksana, will ensure that the cash aid is transferred directly to those who are eligible.

“I believe that the cabinet led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, as well as the officials in all ministries, will use this opportunity to prove that we are responsible and will help underprivileged people.”

The stimulus package announced yesterday is the largest in the country’s history.

Of its RM250 billion, RM128 billion is allocated for welfare and RM100 billion for businesses, including small and medium enterprises, impacted by the pandemic. – March 28, 2020.