KUALA LUMPUR: Who is Makcik Kiah and why is she trending on social media?
The answer is simple: Makcik Kiah represents all of us Malaysians. A hardworking citizen who is suddenly facing a problem like none she ever witnessed before: a global pandemic. And that is true for most of us.
In announcing the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package today, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin used "Makcik Kiah" as an example to illustrate the kind of cash aid an average Malaysian stood to receive from the government.
For Makcik Kiah who sells banana fritters (pisang goreng) and lives at the Desa Tun Razak People's Housing Project (PPR), her household would benefit from several cash aid as well as loan payment deferment as announced by the government.
Considering her household income is below RM4,000, Makcik Kiah would be eligible for the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional amounting to RM1,600.
Since her husband is a government retiree and is now an e-hailing driver, he would receive RM500 in pension aid and another RM500 in e-hailing cash aid.
Their household would also receive a RM600 balance from the Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) handout.
On top of that, Makcik Kiah's husband is also a Rela volunteer, which entitles him to RM200 monthly until the Covid-19 outbreak ends.
With their unmarried son still living with them, he will receive RM800 under the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional for singles.
Folks on Twitter are loving the Makcik Kiah example used by Muhyiddin.
Chester Chin remarked that the PM's speechwriter should be given a raise, saying that Makcik Kiah humanises the Prihatin Rakyat concept.
Izyan Kaher wrote, "Hats off to TSMY's speechwriter(s) for such an impactful and brilliant content. You nailed it again and this time with Makcik Kiah."