PUTRAJAYA has handed out RM2.5 billion to low-income Malaysians since July last year, in what critics decry as a vote-buying exercise ahead of the 14th general election, reported the Straits Times.

It said money dished out to the poor, farmers, fishermen, civil servants, religious teachers and village chiefs was on top of the RM6.3 billion to be paid out under the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) programme this year.