KUALA LUMPUR: Bantuan Khas Covid-19 (BKC) cash aid will be disbursed from Sept 6, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
"I was informed of the delay in BKC payments, which were supposed to be made in August. I have instructed the Finance Ministry to expedite it.
"A total allocation of RM3.1 billion has been channelled to banking institutes today (Sept 1)," he said in a statement.
Ismail Sabri, who chaired his first Cabinet meeting via video conference, said payments for the first phase of the BKC would be made between Sept 6 and 10, while subsequent payments would be made according to schedule.
He said some 10 million recipients, comprising those hardcore poor, B40, M40 and eligible bachelor groups, would benefit from BKC, which is part of the Pakej Perlindungan Rakyat dan Pemulihan Ekonomi (Pemulih).
He said the government had on June 28 announced Pemulih as part of the initiatives to assist the people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"I'm always alert to the grouses of the people and I hope the BKC payments would help ease the burdens faced by those affected by Covid-19.
"The government is committed in ensuring the wellbeing of the Malaysian Family, especially the target groups."
Hardcore poor households will receive RM1,300 cash aid, with RM500 payment in two instalments and RM300 to be paid on the third month.
Meanwhile, senior citizens who are living alone and eligible bachelors (with monthly income of RM2,500 and below) will receive RM500, with payments to be made in two instalments.
One-time RM100 cash aid will be distributed to M40 individuals with household monthly income between RM5,001 and RM9,000 and bachelors with monthly income between RM2,501 and 5,000 (as per income tax records).