‘A LIFELINE’: AIDILFITRI CASH AID BRINGS RELIEF TO CIVIL SERVANTS JUGGLING FESTIVE, POST-HOLIDAY COSTS

KUALA LUMPUR, April 4 (Bernama) -- As Malaysia’s civil servants returned to their desks after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, many did so with a little more financial breathing room, thanks to a timely cash aid from the federal government.

The Aidilfitri Special Financial Assistance (BKK), announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in late March, delivered RM500 to civil servants in Grade 56 and below, and RM250 to retirees, including veterans.

For thousands of public sector workers, this wasn’t just a festive bonus, but an essential support that helped keep budgets afloat during a financially demanding time of year.

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From peninsular Malaysia to Borneo island, stories of how the aid was used paint a picture of ordinary families navigating the economic pressures of festive preparations, travel and everyday life that resumes swiftly after the celebrations.

In Negeri Sembilan, school teacher Azriah Mohd Azmir, 45, said the extra money allowed her not only to plan better for her family's Aidilfitri celebrations, but also to extend help to her elderly parents.

Travelling home for the holidays isn’t cheap. Between petrol, tolls, festive clothes, and food, it adds up, says Azriah, who teaches at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Undang Jelebu.

“But with the BKK, I was able to share some of my rezeki with my parents and paying off their utility bills. Sharing our blessing is a joy in itself,” she noted.

Her sentiment was echoed by Abd Halim Jumat, 48, an officer at the Negeri Sembilan Information Department, who said the aid helped his family stay on course with financial planning despite the spike in seasonal expenses.

“I decided early on to be prudent with spending. Part of the aid went into savings while the rest was used for bills and post-Raya costs. It gave us some peace of mind,” he said.

In Sarawak, Fire and Rescue officer Muhammed Mirza Dzalmira Miraj, 40, said the RM500 payout came in handy after returning to Kuching from a family trip to Sibu and Mukah.

“We spent quite a bit on travel and the usual Raya costs. The aid allowed us to restock the kitchen once we got home,” he said.

For others, the assistance was carefully allocated. In Melaka, information assistant Muhammad Zakri Chan Abdullah, 43, split the funds in two namely for festive purchases like traditional treats and new clothes, and the rest for groceries after the festivities.

“Even with some savings set aside, preparing for Aidilfitri as the head of the family can be a stretch. This helped ease that pressure,” he said.

In Terengganu, the aid meant survival for Al-Quran and Fardu Ain (KAFA) teacher Norsiah Yatim, 47.

“The amount may seem modest, but for a small household like ours, it’s enough to keep food on the table for nearly two weeks. After the celebrations, it’s a lifeline,” she said.

In Kedah, civil servant Siti Maisarah Ramli, 42, used the funds to buy back-to-school essentials for her teenage son returning to his boarding school.

“It helped cover what we had already spent for Raya. Soap, snacks, stationery…it all adds up,” says Siti Maisarah from Alor Setar.

For a celebration rooted in generosity, family and reflection, the BKK support helped civil servants focus on what mattered most, rather than how much it all might cost.

At a time when every ringgit counts, the gesture from the government was more than just seasonal cheer. It was strategic, and in many homes, deeply appreciated.

-- BERNAMA