Govt mulls option to convert MyBeras handout to cash

PETALING JAYA: The government is mulling the option of converting the MyBeras handout to cash which would be deposited into a person's 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) account.
Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said the ministry was considering this option to ensure there are no "leakages" in the programme, such as some recipients being left out.
"This is a good idea and our ministry is looking into it," he told reporters when met at the Malaysian Fisheries Development Board (LKIM) Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration at Dewan Besar LKIM here.
The MyBeras programme, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak during the budget recalibration early this year, has been postponed twice - in March and June.
Under the programme, hardcore poor families nationwide are eligible to receive 20kg of rice per-family a month within a given period, which is expected to assist
85,401 families in the hardcore poor category.
Meanwhile, Tajuddin took a swipe at several consumer groups for stating that Malaysia is too dependent on imported foods.
He said that most of the food imported into Malaysia does not fall under the category of "basic food", as it caters to the needs of the high-income group.
"Those who said that we are importing (food products) too much, list down whether the products are basic food or for the rich people," he said.