KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 – The federal government’s Covid-19 death financial aid has only reached 11,816 next-of-kin as of December 6, 2021, which is equivalent to only 44 per cent of total Malaysian Covid-19 deaths reported that day.
According to Ministry of Health (MOH) data, Malaysia registered 30,742 cumulative Covid-19 deaths as of December 6, of which 26,987 were Malaysian and 3,755 were non-Malaysian.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Abd Latiff Ahmad said a total of RM59.08 million of the Covid-19 death financial aid had been distributed to 11,816 next-of-kin.
“This aid must go through an application to ensure that only deaths caused by Covid-19 and only Malaysian citizens are eligible to receive assistance.
“Additionally, the beneficiary’s account number is required because the assistance will be channelled directly to the beneficiary’s account,” Abd Latiff said in a written parliamentary reply on December 7 in response to Kubang Pasu MP Amiruddin Hamzah’s query on the matter.
In a subsequent question on whether financial aid will be extended to families of people who died of long-term Covid-19 effects or long Covid, Abd Latiff said the financial aid covers all deaths due to Covid-19 that have been verified by MOH without taking into account if it was due to the short-term or long-term effects of Covid-19.
