A total of 6.48 million individuals have received the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) this year involving an allocation of RM3.37 billion.

Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah said 57 percent or 3.68 million received through credit transfer to their respective bank accounts.

For 2.80 million recipients, or 43 percent of those who did not submit their bank account numbers, including unsuccessful credit transfer transactions, payments will be made in stages through the BR1M distribution council, and that can be cashed out at any of the panel banks of Bank Simpanan National, Public Bank Berhad, Maybank and CIMB Bank.

For unsuccessful applicants, they could appeal from April 1, 2014, through appeal forms available at any branch of the Inland Revenue Board (IRB). The forms along with relevant documents should be sent to the IRB office before April 30, 2014.

Ahmad Husni said 69 cases of fraud or abuse of BR1M vouchers had been detected three weeks after the distribution of BR1M.

“The government takes this matter seriously and is investigating the cases, where there is an element of fraud, those involved are facing charges under Section 193 of the Penal Code (Act 574) or will be blacklisted,” he said.

Through Budget 2014 initiatives, he said, the government for the first time has introduced takaful i- BR1M, a protection plan that benefits recipient category under households/families, in the event of death or permanent disability due to accident.

The contribution of I- BR1M is borne by the government and no charge throughout the period of coverage from Jan 1, to Dec 31, 2014.

IBR1M form can be downloaded on the website www.malaysiantakaful. com.my or https://ebr1m.hasil.gov.my .

Any questions on the BR1M can be referred to the hotline at 1-800-88-2716 or 03-8882 4565/4566 from 9am to 5pm, while the recepients of i- BR1M can contact 03-2716 2716 or e-mail i-BR1M@takaful-ikhlas.com.my .     

- Bernama