BR1M given in stages for Saratok
KUCHING: A total of RM1,184,200 in 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) for this year will be distributed in stages to the lower income group in Saratok.
Saratok MP Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom handed over the BR1M vouchers to the first 500 recipients in Krian community hall in Saratok on Friday.
Mawan said BR1M was one of the government’s temporary measures to counter the rising cost of living, particularly among the lower income group while the country is undergoing economic transformation.
“BR1M is not the ultimate counter measure but it can help ease the financial burden of the lower income group, and increase purchasing power while contributing to spur local economic activities in the short run,” he explained.
Mawan who is also Pakan assemblyman said the government is caring.
“It’s important for the country to experience economic transformation without burdening the people too much,” he pointed out.
He said like other countries around the world, Malaysia is affected by challenges such as rising cost of living; unpredictable prices, supply of raw materials and weather; and global crises.
Malaysia is developing steadily at a moderate pace in the hope to reach developed nation status by 2020, he added.
Mawan urged recipients to spend their BR1M monies wisely.
Among those present at the function were Saratok District Officer Ikhmal Abdullah, police chief DSP Mordani Tanin, his Special Branch head ASP Entali Jingan, representatives of Bank Simpanan Nasional and community leaders.