BSH applicants turned away by district offices, claims DAP man

KUCHING: Applicants of the Bantuan Sara Hidup ( BSH) scheme are no longer able to seek help from district offices in filling forms, says DAP Serian chairman Edward Andrew Luwak.

According to him, district offices had previously assisted to fill forms for new applicants or for updating purposes, but now directed all matters related to BSH to the Inland Revenue Board.

Application for and updating of BSH – formerly known as 1Malaysia People’s Aid ( BR1M) – began Feb 1 and ends on March 15.

“We are sad to hear that this time around, the district office in Serian turned away applicants and told them to go to Inland Revenue Board.

“It is so unkind for an important government department, more so one that provides general administration services, to turn away poor rural people and to direct them to go to Kuching to attend to BSH matters,” he said in a press statement yesterday.

Edward said district offices should take the initiative to assist those eligible for the cash aid, adding the entire exercise was only for about six weeks.

“I would therefore appeal to the ( Serian) District Officer to set up a helpdesk for the purpose of new registrations and updating of BSH.

“During my frequent visits to the ( Serian) District Office, I noticed that the staffers are not overburdened with work. They are quite relaxed, I should say,” he added.