PUTRAJAYA: The Covid-19 Fund has collected over RM40 million as of May 7, said Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He said the fund, launched by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on March 10, has collected RM40,298,699.49 from contributions from various parties.
The special fund, he said, provides financial aid to Malaysian citizens directly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Individuals who have been treated for Covid-19 or close contacts of patients who have been issued the Covid-19 Contact Monitoring and Observation Order (Perintah Pengawasan Dan Pemerhatian), will be given RM100 daily for their 14-day quarantine period," he said in his daily press conference here today.
He said the two groups of people eligible to request for this financial aid are working individuals who have lost their sources of income or have not received their salary for the duration of being under 14-day quarantine; and individuals warded in hospitals for Covid-19 treatment.
"I would like to explain that individuals who stayed at home throughout the Movement Control Order (MCO) period are ineligible to receive this aid," he said.
Ismail said the special aid for those who lost their income has been channelled to 94 individuals as of now, for a total of RM125,700.
Besides that, he said, Death Benefit Assistance (Bantuan Ihsan Kematian) amounting to RM5,000 is also given to the next-of-kin of those who succumbed to the disease.
"The aid (Bantuan Ihsan Kematian) has to date been given to 71 next-of-kin, totaling RM355,000.00.
"While RM25,229,105.44 has been channelled to the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry for them to offer assistance to Malaysians in need via the state Welfare Departments," he added.