Putrajaya allocates RM1b more to MoH to combat COVID-19

KUALA LUMPUR (March 27): Malaysia is setting aside RM1 billion more from its economic stimulus package announced today for its Health Ministry to procure more medical equipment as well as healthcare services from the private sector to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

This is on top of the RM500 million previously announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday.

In a live telecast today, Muhyiddin also said an RM8 million special fund will be set up by insurance and takaful players to bear the costs of COVID-19 screening tests worth up to RM300 per policy. This is for those who have been instructed by the Health Ministry to undertake the tests at a private hospital or lab.

“Insurance and family takaful companies will also offer a three-month deferment of the premium payment or contribution for policyholders whose income has been affected by the pandemic,” he added.

Higher allowance for healthcare workers, security personnel also to get special allowance

The government is also raising the RM400 special allowance it is giving healthcare workers, who are on the frontline of the fight against the coronavirus, to RM600.

In addition, it will also give a special RM200 allowance to security personnel who are involved in enforcing the Movement Control Order.

These security personnel include members of the army, police, customs, immigration, civil defence forces (Angkatan Pertahanan Awam) as well as The People's Volunteer Corps (RELA) — which involve an estimated 169,000 people — according to Muhyiddin.

Both allowances will be paid starting April 1, 2020, until the pandemic ends, Muhyiddin added.

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