KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob hopes that the Phase 1 payments for Special Covid-19 Aid (BKC) – to be disbursed from today – will help alleviate the burden of those impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

       In a Facebook post, he said a total allocation of RM3.1bil has been channelled to banking institutions for the payments.

       “BKC will benefit some 10 million recipients, with a focus on target groups comprising the hardcore poor, the B40 and M40 groups, as well as single people,” he said yesterday.Last Wednesday, the Prime Minister said he had taken note of the delay in the BKC payments, which should have been disbursed last month, and instructed the Finance Ministry to expedite the process.

       Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said that the government was currently implementing economic stimulus initiatives for the people and the country through the National People’s Well-Being and Economic Recovery Package (Pemulih).

       “I have high hopes and will ensure these efforts are successful for the well-being of the Malaysian Family,” he said.

       Details on the BKC, including payment status, can be viewed at https://bkc.hasil.gov.my. — Bernama