Payment of various aid announced in the 2013 Budget would be held between January and March, said Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah.       

He said this included the 1Malaysia People's Aid 2.0 (BR1M 2.0), Early Schooling Special Assistance, 1Malaysia Book Voucher and 1Malaysia Contribution for Veterans Without Pension (SVTB1M).       

"In January, we will focus on schooling aid that involves schools nationwide. The BR1M 2.0 will be paid in February.            

"We will then give out RM1,000 to veterans without pension, and this will be organised by the defence ministry through the Ex-Servicemen's Association," he told reporters in Ipoh today.       

He said distribution of 1Malaysia Book Vouchers to university students and Form Six students was expected in March.       

However, Ahmad Husni said there might be some payment after the set period as a result of various factors.       

"March is not the final date for payment. For example, some BR1M payment may be late because of late applications.       

"We want payments to be made, according to each institution such as schools, with students enrolling in January, so we want to ensure payment is made then.       

"University students begin in March, so payment should be done during that time," he added.

   

Smartphone panel set up

A special panel has been set up to ensure smartphone dealers do not engage in profiteering following the government providing a RM200 rebate for smartphone purchases by eligible youths, said Information, Communications and Culture Minister Rais Yatim.

He said the panel, made up of telecommunication companies (telcos) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), will act against dealers found to be taking advantage of the rebate provision for profiteering.       

"The Information, Communications and Culture Ministry will complement the panel by monitoring price movements of smartphones," he told reporters after a friendly badminton match between the D'SURY and Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) teams at the badminton hall of the old Istana Negara, KL today.     

On Wednesday, the Cabinet agreed not to set a price limit on 3G smartphones purchased by youths between 21 and 30 earning less than RM3,000 with the RM200 government rebate.     

The rebate is being implemented under the Youth Communication Package following Prime Minister Najib Razak's announcement on the provision when tabling Budget 2013 in September last year.               

Rais said lifting of the earlier price cap RM500 (on the smartphones that could be purchased under the facility) was hoped more youths would register for the rebate, which was opened on Jan 1 and ends on Jan 31.       

"So far more than 10,000 youths have registered for the rebate and my ministry hopes there will be an exponential rise (in the registration), based on their (youths) ability (to buy) and needs," he said.       

Asked why they (eligible youths) had to register online to get the rebate, Rais said:       

"What is wrong with registration. This is one way for the authorities to collate the data and inform the telecommunications industry, on how many people would like to buy it and meet the market's demand. It is not something we do to make things complicated."       

Rais said if the youths (eligible for the rebate) wanted to voice their views or make enquiries, they could contact MCMC at its hotline at 1800-88-4040 or by accessing the commission's website.

   

- Bernama