The RM500 aid is real and is part of this year’s budget, the ministry said.

The false warning has been spread through WhatsApp purportedly quoting the “PKR Service Centre in Bayan Baru” and casting doubt about the government’s special monthly incentive of RM500 under Bantuan Warga Emas.

However, the finance ministry said that the RM500 monthly incentive was very much real, and was an increase of the existing monthly welfare allowance for the elderly included in this year’s federal budget.

The aid is given to senior citizens aged 60 and above with a household income below the poverty line average who do not live in welfare homes or care facilities.

The false warning appeared to have been sent to cast doubt on another message which sought to bring attention to government relief packages which quoted information collated at the “semakanonline” website.