PUTRAJAYA: A total of 66,258 people including imam, muezzins and KAFA (Kemahiran Asas Fardu Ain) teachers nationwide will get a special Aidilfitri payment of RM400 each.
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the overall cost involved was RM26.5 million which had been channelled to the Religious Development Department (Jakim).
“Those who get the payout include 12,500 imam, 8,650 muezzins, 3,950 ‘takmir’ teachers; and 32,764 Kafa teachers.
“The payment is credited straight into their accounts,” he said in a statement today.
Lim said with the upcoming Aidilfitri celebrations, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad wanted the religious services staff to enjoy the Aidilfitri special payment just like those in the civil service sector.
“This payment does not include the Bantuan Sara Hidup Rakyat (BSHR) payment which is paid separately.
“The federal government has channeled RM1.6 billion to nearly 4.1 million BSHR recipients starting from June 6.
“I hope the initiative can help the recipients’ preparations for Hari Raya.”