Deputy finance minister Ahmad Maslan said the recipients were civil servants, government pensioners, padi farmers, rubber smallholders, fishermen and volunteers.

He said the payment involves a financial allocation of RM1.57 billion.

“A total of 1.4 million civil servants in Grade 56 and below, including contract and Malaysia Short-term Employment Programme (MySTEP) staff, will receive RM700 each. This will involve a financial implication of RM988 million.

“Meanwhile, one million government retirees, including non-pensionable veterans, will receive RM350 each, which will involve an expenditure of RM350 million,” he told reporters after visiting Bank Simpanan Nasional’s (BSN) headquarters here today.

Ahmad said 850,000 padi farmers, rubber smallholders and fishermen would each receive RM200 and this would involve a financial allocation of RM170 million.

A total of 213,000 Rela volunteers and civil defence force, police and fire department personnel will also receive aid amounting to RM64 million.