The Negeri Sembilan government today announced special financial aid (BKK) in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations of half-month salary or a minimum of RM1,000 to all civil servants under its administration.

Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun said it would benefit a total of 3,481 civil servants, with an allocation of RM5.3 million.

“It will be paid today, Insya Allah,” he told reporters after chairing the state executive council meeting in Seremban today.

Prior to this, when tabling the 2019 Negeri Sembilan Budget at the 14th State Legislative Assembly on Dec 17 last year, Aminuddin had announced that the BKK would consist of one month's salary or a minimum of RM2,000 for all civil servants in the state.

The special aid would be paid in two stages, half-month salary or RM1,000 in the first week of January, and the remainder to be paid before Aidilfitri celebrations.

In another development, the menteri besar said the government also decided that the ‘mantai’ programme would continue.

“In principle, the state government has agreed to carry out the mantai programme in every district.

"In Seremban we have set four areas (for the mantai)... hence buyers don’t have to concentrate in one area, making it easier for them.

“Apart from the sale of meat, there will also be the sale of chicken, eggs and vegetables. We will provide the details and will inform the reporters soon,” he said.

Mantai is synonymous with the people of Negeri Sembilan in welcoming the month of Syawal.

The word mantai is derived from ‘membantai’, which means preparing slaughtered meat on the day before Ramadan and Syawal every year.

- Bernama