An Opposition representative has urged the Johor government to expedite aid distribution to needy groups by allowing direct applications online.

In a statement yesterday, Johor Jaya assemblyperson Liow Cai Tung (photo) said the use of “agents” in the present system was impeding aid distribution.

“This process has caused delays in the application process because the rakyat needs to send their information to agents at distribution centres, and then wait for these agents to make an application for them.

“This has also caused many to gather at distribution centres because they want to give their information to the agents. This could lead to breaches of the movement control order (MCO),” she said.

Earlier this week, the Johor government announced that it will be providing either RM250 or RM500 in one-off assistance to those who do not qualify for existing welfare schemes like BPN or Bantuan Sara Hidup.

Called Bantuan Ihsan Covid-19 Johor, aid distribution is a seven-step process where government-appointed representatives must first identify target groups and complete forms on their behalf.

The forms are then keyed into the e-Ihsan Johor system for processing before the money can be released and electronically transferred to qualified applicants.

The state government previously explained that the usage of representatives was to allow them to identify individuals who truly qualify for the aid.

It also explained that its decision to not allow direct applications online was also to enable more targeted aid-distribution.

“This is so the selection process (for who qualifies for the aid) can be done in a more specific and transparent way through distribution centres for those who have truly been sidelined by existing federal or state schemes,” it said in a statement on frequently-asked-questions.

Expedite aid for Ramadan, B40

Liow urged the state government to reconsider its aid distribution procedures to expedite the process.

“I wonder why the state government can’t allow applications online just like how Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) is done, this will make things easier for the rakyat.

“I think this will be easier for the Ihsan Covid-19 information centre since its job is to process the applications,” she said.

This was especially in light of Ramadan and the extension of the MCO to May 12.

“Target groups, especially the B40 group, sorely depend on aid like this to fund their daily needs,” she added.

She noted how there was no date or timeline for aid distribution except that applications would close once the MCO and Covid-19 pandemic was over.

Liow further questioned if non-citizens, including migrant workers, could qualify for the aid.

Meanwhile, the DAP lawmaker has set up a “drop off” box outside her office to allow the public to submit their Bantuan Ihsan Covid-19 applications while adhering to social distancing rules.

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