Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who announced further increases to BR1M today, said contrary to what the critics claim, the recipients are glad to receive the financial aid.

"I know there are quarters who said BR1M need not be continued.

"But from the feedback received, they (the recipients) are very grateful and thankful for the government's concern as BR1M has, in some ways, helped to reduce their burden," Najib said in his Budget 2016 speech in Parliament.

Among the staunchest critics of this handout has been former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who described it as a form of "bribery".

In the tabling of Budget 2016 today, Najib announced an across the board increase of RM50 in BR1M assistance for all categories.

The increase is the smallest yet as the budget shrank for the first time since Najib took power, due to falling revenue.

Najib said for next year, households with income under RM3,000 will receive RM1,000 of BR1M money, while households with income between RM3,000 and RM4,000 will receive RM800.

Singles aged above 21 with an income under RM2,000 will receive RM400.

A new category was also created for household income under RM1,000 under the E-kasih system where they will receive RM1,050.

INFOGRAPHIC: BUDGET 2016 AT A GLANCE