Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said 8.6 million people would receive payment of between RM100 and RM300 based on the eligibility of each recipient, encompassing four million households, 1.2 million senior citizens (single or without spouse) and 3.4 million single people.

“For households, senior citizens and single individual recipients, the date of payment will start from March 28 to April 8 and it would be credited directly into their bank accounts,” he said in a statement today.

“For recipients who have no bank accounts, including those in Sabah and Sarawak, payment would start from March 30 through Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) branches.

“BSN will issue the SOPs from time to time on the payments,” he added.

BKM is a direct cash aid initiative announced in Budget 2022 to benefit the B40 group.

Ismail said the payment was also to lighten the financial burden of the people, especially those celebrating the month of Ramadan.

“Checks on BKM approval status can be carried out from March 28 at https://bkm.hasil.gov.my,” he said.

To ensure that the BKM programme reached the targeted groups, the prime minister said the period for appeal would be open for one month from May 2.

He said for applications that were not approved, applicants could submit their appeals with relevant documents for review by the Inland Revenue Board.

“The government is always sensitive to the current needs of the people and will continue to be committed to ensure the well-being of the Malaysian Family, especially the target groups,” he said.