KUALA LUMPUR: The government is allocating RM2.2 billion to implement programmes to assist those who need help and support.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said this included RM1.2 billion in financial assistance for poor families, children, senior citizens and the disabled (OKU).
“To show its concern for this group, the government allocated RM66 million to assist 110,000 OKU nationwide, with the assistance for working OKU raised from RM300 to RM350, while for the non-working OKU, the aid is increased from RM150 to RM200.
“The tax relief for each child who is disabled and for the purchase of basic supporting equipment for the tax payer, spouse, children and parents with disabilities has been raised from RM5,000 to RM6,000,” he said when tabling the 2015 Budget themed “People Economy” at the Dewan Rakyat, here today.
Najib, who is also the Finance Minister, said the daily food allowance for 8,700 residents in 63 institutions under the Social Welfare Department had been increased from RM8 to RM16 and the National Council’s annual grant for the disabled was also raised from RM500,000 to RM1 million.
“Five additional Senior Citizen Activity Centres will be set up raising the number of centres nationwide to 50 with the Senior Citizens Caring Unit providing free transportation to senior citizens going to hospitals,” he said.
Najib said the government would also allocate RM711 million to the Education Ministry, Kemas Kindergartens, PERMATA Kindergartens and Tabika Perpaduan. – BERNAMA