PKR seeks clarification on how BR1M applications are processed
KUCHING: Parti Keadilan Rakyat ( PKR) has received numerous complaints from people that their applications for 1Malaysia People’s Aid ( BR1M) were rejected on the ground that their monthly household earning was more than RM4,000.
But as told by the complainants to party workers, they were no longer working and did not have any monthly income, said PKR Stampin Youth deputy chief Jeffery Mok.
“The contradiction of facts here shows that it is either the date of application is not updated which is a flaw in our system or there is a discrepancy in the approval of the application,” Mok, who is the personal assistant to Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How said in a press conference here yesterday.
Mok pointed out that BR1M applicants would only be given a simple explanation online that their household earning was more than RM4,000 if their applications were rejected.
“However, BR1M never provided any supporting details as to how they had arrived at such figures in the first place.”
He noted that Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani had made a statement that BR1M had been working closely with the Inland Revenue Board ( IRB) and Employees Provident Fund ( EPF) to ensure that the aid does not go to the wrong people.
“( If that is the case), we hereby urge BR1M to provide us with a clearer guideline on how the assessment was done - whether the assessment by EPF on all the applications is by the contribution they have made monthly or how much savings they have in their EPF accounts.”
Mok stated that it would be unfair to the BR1M applicants who are currently not working if their applications were rejected because of their EPF savings, although they had previously earned a monthly income of RM4,000.
“The amount of their EPF savings must not be treated as the deciding factor on the approval of such application,” he said.
He added that this would lead to the question of whether the assessment on more than 600,000 ineligible BR1M applicants as stated by Johari previously was done based on the savings amount in their EPF accounts and not by their monthly contribution.
“It is therefore crucial for the government to provide details on how the assessment was done to avoid any confusion to the public and ensure that the aid goes to right and eligible people.”
For BR1M applicants whose application had been rejected, Mok informed that the appeal period will be from April 3 to May 31. “We welcome them to seek our help to appeal.” Mok said those who wish to appeal may drop by PKR Stampin branch service centre at Mile 3, Maong Bazaar from 9am to 5pm Mondays to Fridays and 9am to 12pm on Saturdays.