1MALAYSIA People’s Aid (BR1M), availability of quality and affordable homes, education assistance, health facilities and shops selling essential goods at affordable prices serve as key drivers of the government’s efforts to tackle the rising cost of living.
A total of 185 1Malaysia Clinics (K1Ms) were built between 2013 and last year, bringing the total to 334 clinics nationwide.
KIMs cater to an average of 5.27 million patients annually.
Civil servant Mohd Sulhee Ahmad, 40, said K1M had proven to be a huge help to his family and other Malaysians.
“These clinics offer fast and efficient service.
“The medication dispensed is on par with those from private clinics, yet at much cheaper prices.
“I pay between RM50 and RM100 if I go to a private clinic. But at K1M, I pay RM1 only.”
1Malaysia Student Discount Card (KDS1M) recipient Emmanuel Christy said since its launch in 2012, the card had helped lighten the load of university students like him.
“Whenever I buy study items such as books, I will use the card to get a discount.
“Although the card is capped at RM250 a year, it comes in handy for students from less fortunate backgrounds.”
As for BR1M, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) deputy president Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman said it was a positive move by the government to help the people directly, especially youth, to tackle the rising cost of living.
“Since its introduction in 2012, BR1M has benefited seven million people.
“What I’m looking forward to is for recipients to get aid in the form of investment.
“The amount may not be much, but for youth, it could go a long way when it comes to long-term investment.
“The savings, for example, could be used as a downpayment to purchase their first car.”
He said Fomca had, from the onset, expressed hope that BR1M payments would not be abused by recipients.
“BR1M is geared towards helping the low-income group tackle their living expenses.
“It has proven to be an effective replacement for the previous less successful subsidy system, and is useful as a direct aid.
“As such, recipients need to be mindful of their spending,” he said.
Additional reporting by Esther Landau