Incomeless freelancer grateful over early Prihatin Rakyat payout

(File pic) Live broadcast of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's on Economic Stimulus Package Announcement (PRIHATIN). -NSTP/AIZUDDIN SAAD

By Olivia Miwil - April 4, 2020 @ 4:40pm

KOTA KINABALU: A freelance underwater photographer is relieved that the Prihatin Rakyat financial aid payout will be made on Monday, instead of at month’s-end.

Abdul Razak Ismail from Semporna said he had started losing income since February when the Sabah government announced a ban on tourists from overseas.

“As the breadwinner, I earned an average of RM1,000 a month to support a family of five.

“When there are no tourists, I am only left with limited savings to go by on a daily basis,” he said.

Abdul Razak added that although the state government has also announced a one-off payment to be made to freelancers affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Movement Control Order (MCO), he has yet to receive any response regarding the matter from relevant authorities.

“Maybe there is some process to go through before we get the assistance from the state government.

“An earlier payout from the federal government is definitely helpful for us to sustain ourselves for a longer period,” Abdul Razak said, adding that the tourism industry will likely take months to bounce back.

Meanwhile, Peterina Peter, who falls under the medium income group, said she will set aside the early payout in an emergency fund.

“As my husband and I are working at the port, in an essential service, we are still entitled to full salaries.

“That is why we decided to channel the payout into our emergency fund, as we do not know how long or how the Covid-19 crisis will affect us in the long-run,” she said, adding that in order to keep their budget intact, they are careful not to overbuy.