Former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has drawn comparisons between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s current welfare initiatives and the former Barisan Nasional administration’s BR1M handout introduced under Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Speaking on his Yang Berhenti Menteri podcast, Rafizi suggested that the Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) and Rahmah Necessities Aid (Sara) under Anwar’s government appear to be a continuation of Najib’s BR1M model. He emphasised that while the programmes serve a vital role in supporting low-income Malaysians, they should not be treated as temporary political tools.
According to Rafizi, Malaysia’s welfare assistance should be transformed into a long-term social policy similar to systems adopted in developed welfare states. He said that institutionalising the aid would ensure that qualified citizens receive consistent monthly assistance regardless of which government is in power. The current approach, he argued, risks creating inconsistency and political dependency whenever leadership changes.
BR1M, or Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia, was first introduced during Najib’s tenure as part of his populist economic policies aimed at easing the financial burden of lower-income households. However, critics later argued that it became a political instrument to gain voter support.
Rafizi also expressed concern about the government’s decision to channel school aid directly through teachers, calling it a regressive move that places unnecessary administrative pressure on educators. He said the process could have been automated or managed through digital systems to avoid disrupting teachers’ core responsibilities.
Shifting focus to the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), Rafizi criticised the lack of progress in addressing the RM41 billion owed by borrowers. He warned that the current financial management approach could worsen the situation if deeper reforms were not pursued.
He explained that reallocating funds for aid while unresolved debts continue to grow is akin to shifting money “from one pocket to another” without solving the root issue. Rafizi urged the government to focus on developing a sustainable, transparent repayment and assistance structure for PTPTN rather than relying on short-term populist measures.
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