KOTA KINABALU: Rural residents here who are eligible for Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) aid but have no bank accounts are advised to visit Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) branches in their districts to claim the funds.
Deputy Finance Minister 1 Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri said recipients unable to present themselves at the branches can be represented by a close family member, who must also be their beneficiary registered with the Inland Revenue Board, as the BPN executor agent.
This covers those who are bed-ridden, senior citizens, disabled, hospitalised and anyone facing difficulties going to the bank for valid and verified reasons.
"Recipients can claim their financial aid until year end. They only need to bring their identification card and recipient serial number to the BSN counter for payment.
"Given Sabah's vast size, which covers over 20 per cent of Malaysia and is the second largest state, this is a well-known and common issue. Many residents are scattered and isolated," said Abdul Rahim.
The Kudat Member of Parliament noted that government financial aid like Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) is usually handed over to recipients with no bank accounts in a presentation ceremony under the National Treasury Department's programme in collaboration with the District Office.
With the current Covid-19 pandemic, however, he said that more than 40 per cent of BSH recipients have yet to collect their aid due to the Movement Control Order (MCO).
"The Ministry is aware of this and hopes Phase 2 of BSH payments will be made together with Phase 3 at the end of the year if the situation improves and is back to normal.
"(Lack of) ATM facilities in small districts in Sabah and Sarawak has also become an issue. This will be discussed at the ministry level, assisted by Bank Negara as the regulator of all banks in the country to find a solution," he added.