PUTRAJAYA disbursed RM11.14 billion to 10.41 million recipients under the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional as of July 20.

RM139 million is to be distributed to 160,000 successful Prihatin applicants, said Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.

Of the amount, RM125 million has been credited to 146,000 recipients, while the balance will be disbursed via cash handouts through Bank Simpanan Nasional.

Tengku Zafrul said this in the 14th implementation report on the Prihatin economic stimulus package (Prihatin) and the national economic recovery plan (Penjana).

Meanwhile, he said RM3 billion will be distributed to 4.28 million recipients under phase three of the cost-of-living assistance starting on Friday, involving 3.75 million households, 530,000 individuals aged between 40 and 59, as well as 3.8 million children under 18.

Those who wish to appeal for the aid may do so from August 7-September 6 online or visit any of the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), Revenue Service Centre and the Urban Transformation Centre branches nationwide.

On the Prihatin grant, about RM1.64 billion has been approved for disbursement to 545,000 micro and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

“Out of the total amount, 90% or RM1.47 billion has been paid out.

“As for those who have yet to receive the payment but have updated their bank account number, the payment has been made in stages starting July 2,” the finance minister said.

On the wage-subsidy programme, Tengku Zafrul said RM7.82 billion was approved for disbursement to more than 2.55 million employees as of July 20.

Of the amount, RM7.39 billion has been issued to 2.54 million employees nationwide.

On the SME soft loan, which is managed by Bank Negara, Tengku Zafrul said RM9.23 billion has been approved for distribution to 20,815 SMEs. – Bernama, July 22, 2020.