Cuepacs president Adnan Mat suggested that these other frontliners be given a one-off payment of RM300.

Last Friday, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz announced a one-off payment of RM500 for frontliners in the health ministry in next year’s budget.

Adnan said frontliners played a significant role in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, with some of them contracting the virus themselves.

To compound matters, the government has been forced to implement stricter movement restrictions almost nationwide due to the surge in the number of Covid-19 cases, he said.

Adnan said this had made the job for frontliners more difficult unlike when the nation was under a complete lockdown earlier this year.

“The additional responsibilities take a toll on their physical and emotional well-being.

“And although they have pledged to serve the country, the government ought to keep their sacrifices in mind,” he said in a statement.

Adnan also urged the government to ensure there was sufficient supply of personal protective equipment and sanitisers for frontliners, saying he had received reports from frontliners of insufficient supply.

“If they are not provided such equipment, they risk getting infected.”

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