LETTER | Is BPN really prihatin?

LETTER | If needy individuals are getting cut off from aid they are eligible for while those who are undeserving qualify for that same aid, what does this speak of the government’s attitude towards its people? More importantly, what kind of message is the government of the day sending the rakyat?

To understand the situation better, let’s have a closer look at the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) scheme which is currently based on two sets of criteria. For the B40 group, eligibility is measured by a recipient’s existing entitlement to Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) aid. As for the M40 category, the criteria is based on an individual’s income status as reported to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).

Obviously, Rosmah doesn’t fall in the first group. This only leaves one other option - the fact that she supposedly qualifies because she reported her monthly income as RM8,000 or less.

However, an individual’s eligibility for BPN should not be solely based on income status as income alone is not a fair nor accurate indicator of wealth. Such a narrow-minded threshold leaves loopholes in the system that are bound to be exploited.

In addition to income level, BPN eligibility should also take into account assets owned by an individual that exceed a certain value. For example, Samy earns RM8,000 a month but owns two Mercedes-Benz cars and a posh condominium in Mont Kiara. Would we consider such a person needy or even deserving of BPN?

Likewise, even if it were true that Rosmah’s monthly income does not exceed RM8,000, she is not needy or poverty-stricken by any means. Let’s not forget that this is the same lady who is infamous worldwide for her obsession with high-end designer jewellery and accessories, was sued by a Lebanese jeweller for failing to return 44 pieces of jewellery worth RM59.83 million, and who has three charges of corruption filed against her.

Needless to say, individuals who are genuinely needy simply do not have the kind of money Rosmah has been lavishly spending or throwing around. Therefore, if the government doesn’t take a more logical approach in restricting BPN eligibility, the result will be completely undeserving individuals like Rosmah qualifying for aid that should only be channelled to the disadvantaged.

Above all, should the government fail to overhaul a system that has been shown to be so deeply flawed, it is akin to telling the rakyat that it considers the Makcik Kiahs and Makcik Rosmahs of Malaysia to be on the same needy footing. This, of course, makes a real mockery out of poverty and hardship, and surely cannot be Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s intention when he promised that “no one will be left behind”.

A good system is not one that takes from the poor to give to the rich. Nor is it one that deprives the needy of aid because of the government’s poor planning or execution. But at the same time, eligibility criteria for BPN should also not be overly tedious lest it delays implementation at the expense of the rakyat.

Therefore, the key lies in striking a balance between these three things - needs, fairness, and efficiency. The question is, can Muhyiddin’s government really be trusted to strike this balance?

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.