‘I USED BPN TO RESTART MY BUSINESS’
Bantuan Prihatin Nasional 2.0 recipients say aid helping them weather tough times
PRIME Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s announcement on Bantuan Prihatin Nasional 2.0 (BPN 2.0) through the Prihatin Supplementary Initiative Package (Kita Prihatin) on Sept 23 has provided some relief to people in navigating the cost of living amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Anisah Wazir, 56, a food stall operator here, said BPN 2.0 provided the much-needed help to her family as her business had been hit by the outbreak.
“I used the previous BPN to restart my business, which had to be halted due to the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in March.
“I did not expect to receive the assistance again.
“I hope people like us will continue to be helped and I will save the money for an emergency, especially now that there is a spike in Covid-19 cases.
“I am worried that another MCO will be enforced and I will be unable to operate my food stall again and my husband will also end up unemployed,” she said yesterday.
Former hotel employee Aishah Radzi, 35, said both BPN 1.0 and BPN 2.0 eased her financial burden after she was laid off following the implementation of the MCO on March 18.
“In the early days of the MCO, the hospitality sector was severely affected and I had to look for alternatives to earn a living.
“So when I received BPN, I was relieved.
“Besides using it for daily expenses, I also used part of it as capital to start an online food business.
“Alhamdulillah, although it is not much, at least it is something.”
Private sector employee Mohamad Shawal Zulkufli, 32, said the assistance would be helpful for those whose jobs and income were affected.
“As a bachelor in the Middle 40 per cent group, I am happy to see this assistance being given to recipients regardless of status. Even employers receive aid.
“The government is sincere in every announcement it makes on aid despite the country’s political situation.”