IT has been hailed as the biggest budget and has been primed to overcome the socio-economic slow down the nation is experiencing because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Although there are different views about the budget, the fact remains that it has been worked out by experienced hands in the Ministry of Finance, Treasury and Bank Negara.

All Malaysians expect that the budget will help the nation when the repercussions of the lockdown and economic slowdown are more acutely felt next year.

Given the financial constraints, this was possibly the best the government could do to prepare the country for 2021.

One aspect of the budget pertaining to the singles under the BPR has caught my attention and I want to elaborate on it.

The sum provided for singles under the BPH has been reduced to RM350, although the eligibility has been brought down from 40 years to 21 years.

However, I feel that the budget has overlooked the group of people under the singles category.

The single senior citizens: widows, widowers or bachelors. These people belong to a vulnerable group that needs the help of the government during these tough times.

These people are either retired, poor with no income, or dependent on their children who themselves could be facing hard times now.

Further this group has health issues that need treatment, payment for hospitalisation and transport expenses to hospital.

These singles cannot be compared to the singles in the above 21 age group who are usually working, in good health and drawing a reasonable income befitting their qualification and work.

RM350 for this group may be enough if they don’t complain. However, for the senior single citizens the sum needs to be higher, if possible RM1,000. Those with families are paid RM1,200-RM1,800 next year.

Please spare a thought for the senior single citizens who have, during their prime, given their best for the nation. I hope the prime minister and the finance minister will look into this issue and rectify the shortcoming. – November 22, 2020.

* V. Thomas reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.