eBeliaRahmah: Disparity in eligibility criteria sparks frustration among youth - Syed Saddiq
SHAH ALAM - Malaysian Democratic Alliance Party (Muda) President, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has raised concerns about the inconsistent and confusing eligibility criteria for the RM200 eBeliaRahmah assistance grant.
Syed Saddiq has urged the government to provide a comprehensive explanation regarding the qualification requirements to ensure that the people, especially the youth, understand the fairness of the conditions.
He highlighted the disparity where students sponsored by the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) receiving a monthly allowance of RM650-RM950 are eligible for the aid, while trainees at the Teacher Education Institute (IPG) with a monthly allowance of RM450 are excluded.
"The eligibility criteria are clear for all youth aged 18-20 and full-time students in institutions under the Education Ministry and other ministries. "When students inquire about why some of them are ineligible, it causes frustration among everyone.
"Many of them have been promised jobs and come from poor families. Even students from well-off families are also affected," he said in a Facebook post on Sunday.
The eBeliaRahmah programme was introduced under the 2023 Budget to promote cashless payments among the youth and alleviate financial burdens for 18 to 20-year-olds and full-time higher education students.
Approximately two million recipients have received RM200 credited to their e-wallet accounts since June 26 through the programme, enabling them to purchase at physical business establishments using e-wallet service providers such as Boost, Setel, and Touch 'n Go eWallet.
Syed Saddiq urged the government to provide a more detailed explanation to avoid disappointment and confusion among the affected parties regarding the qualification requirements.
