00:00The government's decision to offer a one-off RM100 cash handout to all adult Malaysians has won plaudits from economists.
00:10Bank Mwamala Chief Economist Avzan Nizam Abdul Rashid said it would give the economy a short-term boost and could lift Malaysia's gross domestic product.
00:19He said the payout, which is part of a wider RM15 billion A package, under the Sumbangan Tunai Rahma and Sumbangan Asas Rahma, would likely boost local spending and domestic demand, key pillars of the economy.
00:32Meanwhile, Jeffrey Williams viewed this as a positive initiative that could serve as a pilot project to develop the world's first universal basic income system, positioning Malaysia as a leader in welfare reform.
00:44Williams said while the RM100 payout might be considered small, especially as a one-off, it was still meaningful for poorer families and single people.
00:54He added that the move was affordable under ongoing subsidy reforms and could add up to RM6 billion in spending to the economy this year.
