Are You Eligible For The Special Covid-19 Assistance (BKC)? Here’s How You Can Find Out
- By CompareHero.my
- September 2, 2021
In case you missed the news, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri announced that certain groups of Malaysians will be receiving a cash aid known as the Special Covid-19 Assistance (Bayaran Khas Covid-19, or BKC).
This payout is a part of the PEMULIH package and it is said that RM3.1 billion will be allocated towards it. According to Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz, the payout will be given to approximately 10 million households.
Here’s what you need to know about this Special Covid-19 Assistance and whether you qualify for it.
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The first phase starts on 6th September
Payments under this Assistance Programme will be made in 3 phases. While the first phase was initially slated to begin last month, it was finally decided that it would kick off next week. The two other phases don’t have a launch date yet, but it’s believed that they will begin shortly after the first phase.
The first phase will run from Monday, 6th September up until Friday, 10th September 2021.
Who qualifies for the payment?
This is the burning question you probably have now. To put your doubts to rest, here are the categories that will benefit from this cash aid:
- Hardcore poor households, senior citizens who are living alone and individuals
- B40 households and senior citizens living alone who earn less than RM5,000
- B40 single individuals who earn less than RM2,500
- M40 households who earn between RM5,001 and RM9,000
- M40 single individuals who earn between RM2,501 and RM5,000
Here’s how much each group will get paid
If you fall under any of these categories above, your next question would be how much you would get. According to the announcement made by the Prime Minister, here are the respective amounts:
Hardcore poor
- Households – RM1,300
- Senior citizens living alone – RM500
- Single individuals – RM500
B40
- Households – RM800
- Senior citizens living alone – RM200
- Single individuals – RM200
M40
- Households – RM250
- Senior citizens living alone – RM100
- Single individuals – RM100
You don’t need to apply for it
The good news is that you won’t have to manually apply for it. Based on the data kept by the government and records from the Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat handouts, those eligible for this will receive the aid automatically.
Do note that there are some restrictions to receiving this Special Covid-19 Assistance. For example, if you have already received the Prihatin Special Grant, you won’t be eligible for this cash aid.
If you have other questions regarding the Special Covid-19 Assistance, you can refer to this set of FAQs.
Speaking of cash aid, a bank loan moratorium was also announced in July this year. There are pros and cons to opting in for the moratorium, and you can read all about it below:
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7 Ways You Can Improve Your Wifi Connection Speed
- By CompareHero.my
- September 1, 2021
What is the most annoying thing that can happen to you while streaming your favourite TV series? Exactly, slow broadband connection is the definite answer. Not only is it annoying, but it can be downright frustrating and you might just lose your initial good mood.
When this happens, people usually play the blame game. The one and only party that should be put to blame is obviously the broadband provider, make’s sense right? Wrong! What many of us don’t realize is, sometimes it’s not entirely the provider’s fault. Computer settings, poor wiring, usage of broadband and tons of other things can also have an impact on broadband speeds.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do by yourself without the need to call up the expert or technicians. Here are our favourite tips to help you bring back that speed:
Before you do dive into the tips however, you should test your broadband speed first. This will help you know what your broadband connection speed is really at. You will be able to determine whether your connection is actually running, walking or just crawling like a snail. Afterwards, you can test it again to see whether the tips we’ve suggested really helped with your poor broadband speed.
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1. Set a password for your wifi
The first and foremost is of course to secure your network with a password. If your network is not password protected, you are allowing everyone to actually use it for free. Before you even notice it, your broadband speed will drop significantly, unauthorised users will take up your valuable bandwidths.
2. Change your router’s position
There are a lot of things can affect the strength and quality of your wireless connection, such as home appliances like cordless phones, baby monitor or barriers like walls and doors. Those are just a few things that can interfere your wireless signal. It’s best if you can avoid all that.
Ideally, your router should be placed up high – at the top of the stairs or on a bookshelf for instance. But whatever you do, try your best to position it in an area where the signal won’t be affected by any obstructions or interference. And to maximise the coverage across the whole house, it’s better if you can place it somewhere in the middle. One thing for sure, do not ever place it in a cupboard.
3. Free up your computer
Applications on your computer use the internet too. And some possibly use the internet without you even noticing it because they run in the background. Other applications that may eat up your broadband speed are the ones that run automatically (like Windows updates or Skype) the moment you log in to your computer. Make sure to set these applications on manual run.
You should also consider deleting your old files, organize your desktop – don’t store too many files on your desktop – and clear your browser history. You will be surprised with the noticeable difference on your connection speed.
4. Avoid high traffic times
Internet traffic jams are pretty similar with the road traffic jams. There are times where there’s more traffic and there are times with lesser traffic. Based on this, we know that traffic jams can greatly affect your connection speeds. When lots of people are trying to access the internet at the same time, there is increased traffic on the physical phone lines and also on each website’s servers. Hence, the jam it created will actually slow down your connection speed.
Survey result stated that the heaviest traffic is usually in the evenings. So, if you want to get the benefit from the fastest speed, you can try to surf the internet when traffic is low, generally very late at night.
5. Consider using a non-wireless internet connection
Literally, yes, you should consider to stop using wireless. Instead, use the ethernet cable. For sure we all know that wireless connection will always be slower than a wired one. A bit of a drop in speed is expected when you set up a wireless network, not a problem though for people with fast connections, but it might not be the best choice for people with slow connections.
What you can do is just try connecting it via ethernet cable and if things are alright, you will likely get better speed. Otherwise, the problem might really be from your broadband provider, not your equipment.
6. Contact your service provider
Give your ISP (Internet Service Provider) a call and have a chat about it. You can always stress out your problem or concern to them. Perhaps, by voicing it out, they can help you to identify the fault on the line and give it a quick fix.
7. Switch to another service provider
Sometimes, things don’t turn out as how we planned it. Same goes with these tips. If, after taking all these measures but your broadband speed isn’t improving, you might want to consider to switch your internet provider. That’s the last, and probably the best thing you can do.
Besides your internet connection, another thing that runwould all the time in your house is electricity. With working from home being the norm, you’re probably spending more on your electricity bills now than you did two years ago.
Fortunately, there are some ways you can save on those bills. Take a look at the article below:
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What Does Merdeka Mean To You? We Interviewed 5 Malaysians To Find Out
- By CompareHero.my
- August 30, 2021
Merdeka literally means freedom and independence, but it can also symbolize much more. It goes without saying that Hari Merdeka can invoke national pride even in those who don’t consider themselves very patriotic.
So, to find out what Merdeka means to the average Malaysian, we asked 5 of our own CompareHero.my staff what Merdeka means to them. We interviewed employees from different departments, and got some very interesting and meaningful answers. Read on to find out what they said!
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Faheem, Creative Designer
What’s your earliest memory of Merdeka?
Before the pandemic, watching the Merdeka parade.
How did you and your family celebrate Merdeka in pre-Covid-19 times?
We celebrated it like a festive season—played some Merdeka songs, raised the Jalur Gemilang at home, or on our cars. We don’t have the parade or the fireworks anymore during the pandemic, but we can still show our support through social media, upload some pictures, share some positive words, and celebrate Merdeka virtually.
Do you have a favourite Merdeka song? If yes, what is it?
Negaraku by Faizal Tahir, it has a very strong message and lyrics.
How would you pass on the patriotic spirit of Merdeka to the next generation?
The easiest way to inject the patriotic spirit is to start with the flag. I start with my daughter and our little siblings first, teaching them the importance of treating our Jalur Gemilang with care and respect. The flag is not something that can be toyed with, it holds the country’s history, image and people’s unity. Raise and wave it proudly during the Merdeka month.
List 3 things you like most about Malaysia.
Malaysia is GOLD. Rich with race and culture, rich with food variety and so rich with so many holiday places!
What are your hopes and dreams for Malaysia?
I hope for 3 NOs in Malaysia. No racism, no bribe and no war.
Is there anything else you would like to share on how you feel about Merdeka?
I hope everyone will keep on having the Merdeka spirit despite whatever situation we are in that may involve politics or any other sensitive issues. Merdeka is all about celebrating our nation’s freedom from any outsider’s control, and our country’s history of independence.
Eu Jin, General Manager
What’s your earliest memory of Merdeka?
The mornings usually started with the sounds of jets or helicopters for the ceremony followed by the morning tunes on RTM1.
How did you and your family celebrate Merdeka in pre-Covid-19 times?
This feels like ages ago (pre-Covid-19), but in most cases it would end up being a day spent at home with the family, with good ol’ Malaysian food by the side—nasi lemak, roti canai, you name it.
Do you have a favourite Merdeka song? If yes, what is it?
Yes—Tanggal 31, hands down!
How would you pass on the patriotic spirit of Merdeka to the next generation?
By getting them to appreciate the uniqueness of Malaysia as a country, where we are a multi-cultural, multi-racial country, and no one should take that away from us.
List 3 things you like most about Malaysia.
Our food, the rakyat, & the fact that it is home.
What are your hopes and dreams for Malaysia?
To bring back the Rakyat Spirit of unity within, and focus on getting ourselves back to the ‘Asian Tiger’ status which we used to enjoy in the early ’90s, and not forgetting, to get out of our current Covid-19 situation soon.
Is there anything else you would like to share on how you feel about Merdeka?
Merdeka acts as a good reminder for all of us to be proud as a Malaysian.
Eu Jin also shared with us a picture he took of this famous landmark in Malaysia—the KL Tower:
Krystal, Customer Service Manager
What’s your earliest memory of Merdeka?
When I think of Merdeka and its meaning, the image that comes to mind is still the iconic video of Tunku Abdul Rahman proclaiming “Merdeka” seven times at Stadium Merdeka.
How did you and your family celebrate Merdeka in pre-Covid-19 times?
My husband (who is a foreigner) had the opportunity to hand-make some Merdeka-themed handicrafts with the help of my young toddler. From making hibiscus flowers using colour papers to making a mini flag and painting it to have them placed at the living hall. While our family were busy completing these tasks, mummy was busy sharing stories about how unique Malaysia is on a whole.
Do you have a favourite Merdeka song? If yes, what is it?
Tanggal 31.
How would you pass on the patriotic spirit of Merdeka to the next generation?
As we revisit our history, we also need to teach them about what happened in the past. It’s not just about encouraging them to decorate or make flag designs for this event. It helps if we also explain the flag, the colors, and why we are celebrating Merdeka in the first place. It would be a good history lesson for the younger generation.
List 3 things you like most about Malaysia.
1) Diversity of races, religions, and cultures
2) Standout dishes, especially Malaysia’s national dish, nasi lemak.
3) Beautiful beaches and secluded islands
What are your hopes and dreams for Malaysia?
1) The government must remember that to ensure the right communities are being targeted, we need to approach poverty differently.
2) Greater protection for the environment.
Is there anything else you would like to share on how you feel about Merdeka?
The excitement of hearing fighter jets thundering overhead for the Merdeka Day parade gives me goosebumps.
Najiha, Graphic Designer
What’s your earliest memory of Merdeka?
Quizzes, poetry, poster drawing and class decorating competitions in school and we dressed up in our traditional costumes during the Merdeka celebration!
How did you and your family celebrate Merdeka in pre-Covid-19 times?
We would go downtown to watch firework displays and we had dinner together!
Do you have a favourite Merdeka song? If yes, what is it?
Tanggal 31.
How would you pass on the patriotic spirit of Merdeka to the next generation?
By showing more appreciation to the diverseness of our people like the ethnicities, languages and religions, to explore more hidden gems in Malaysia, to have them familiarize themselves with old patriotic-theme songs, and to have them learn more about Malaysia’s history of independence.
List 3 things you like most about Malaysia.
The food, the places and its people.
What are your hopes and dreams for Malaysia?
My hope is that Malaysia continues to be a prosperous country for the new generations to come and for our people to fight Covid-19 together!
Is there anything else you would like to share on how you feel about Merdeka?
Missing the vibes of celebrating National Day during those pre-Covid years! It was a time when we all could watch firework displays at Dataran Merdeka and sing along to the national anthem and patriotic songs together without fear of contracting Covid. Nevertheless, when life returns to normal, let us all look back with no regrets knowing that we put our best effort to save the country!
Audrey, Call Center Manager
What’s your earliest memory of Merdeka?
It was when I first heard Sudirman’s song titled “Tanggal 31 Ogos”. I was in my primary 2 and those days, we had only RTM1, RTM2 and TV3 to choose from. Whichever channel we tuned to, we surely heard that song.
How did you and your family celebrate Merdeka in pre-Covid-19 times?
Back then, I used to bring my kids on a car ride after 11pm going around KLCC and hope to catch the 12am fireworks! I love how amazing fireworks can be. Sparkling in the sky with different colors and effects!
Do you have a favourite Merdeka song? If yes, what is it?
🎵 Tanggal tiga puluh satu…bulan lapan lima puluh tujuh, Merdeka Merdeka…tetaplah Merdeka 🎵 There you have it. Or rather this is the only song that I know!
How would you pass on the patriotic spirit of Merdeka to the next generation?
Very often I will remind my kids to respect one another regardless of their race or religion, how this beautiful multiracial country still comes together to help one another during bad times and celebrate many occasions in the good times.
List 3 things you like most about Malaysia.
First thing that comes to my mind is FOOD, FOOD and FOOD! Always the best wherever we are in different corners. Thinking of maggi goreng in my mind now!
Secondly, definitely holidays. Different states with breathtaking sceneries especially under the sea and different yummies to nom with.
Last but not least are my awesome friends and peers from different cultures and backgrounds.
What are your hopes and dreams for Malaysia?
Looking forward to a united country with less discrimination as well as racial equalities. Also, having the best and inspiring leaders to lead this country and with the rakyat as their priority.
Is there anything else you would like to share on how you feel about Merdeka?
Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! Selamat menyambut Hari Kebangsaan Malaysia ke-64! 😂
And there you have it! We hope you enjoyed this interview article, and we also wish for you to have a wonderful Merdeka celebration with your family in your own way. May we always love our country and never forget how far we’ve come in these 64 years!
To make your celebrations more fun, check out these Merdeka promotions you can claim! Some of them will expire on 31st August 2021, while others will run until 16th September 2021:
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4 Interesting Facts You Didn’t Know About The Malaysian Ringgit
- By CompareHero.my
- August 27, 2021
Malaysia banknotes have gone through several changes over the past decades. Ringgit was only introduced as Malaysia’s official currency 18 years after independence. We discovered 4 interesting facts that you probably never knew about our Ringgit, read this article to find out.
With Merdeka just round the corner, we decided to take a closer look at the one thing we all use whether in Semenanjung, Sabah, or Sarawak: the Ringgit!
We use it everyday, either in cash or through swiping our credit cards. We spend it on our wants, invest them to help them multiply, and sometimes use them to help finance our needs. But… how much do we actually know about it? Here are four facts you probably may not have known about our Ringgit:
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1. We used to have cute-sounding names for them
Before we were introduced to the ‘Ringgit’ in August 1975, we used “dollar” and “cent”. But we also read that in certain parts of the country, different cultures had different names too.
In northern states, denominations of 10 sen were called ‘kupang’ in Malay, ‘puat’ in Penang Hokkien, whereas Tamil-speaking communities would refer to the Ringgit as ‘velli’, and ‘kacu’ as sen.
And in case you were wondering, the word ‘Ringgit’ itself refers to the word ‘jagged’. This was how our ancestors used to call Spanish coins back in the 1500s, when they were widely used at the start of their colonial era in Malaya.
Jagged edge Spanish dollars of the 17th century. (Image source: Centpacr)
2. We once had a YELLOW RM50 note!
For most of us, we’d be able to identify our RM50 notes by its distinctive teal/green colour. It has been in that spectrum all the way from the beginning.
But back in 1998, we were bestowed with limited edition RM50 sheets in a beautiful, striking yellow. But… why? Well it was to commemorate the eventful Kuala Lumpur ‘98 XVI Commonwealth Games, one of the biggest and proudest moments in Malaysian history.
A screenshot of the commemorative RM50 note from a seller on Shopee.
Despite its yellow shade, there’s something familiar about the note, and that’s its polymer material which we’re all familiar with today. Back in 1998, this note was the first ever polymer banknote released in Malaysia.
Speaking of old notes, you may or may not know that we also used to have RM500 and RM1,000 banknotes too!
3. The RM2 note was created in-line with Vision 2020
Since the beginning of our banknote history, we’ve never had an RM2 banknote… until 1996, that is! As part of the third banknote series, the RM2 note was actually created in-line with Vision 2020.
(Image source: Bank Negara)
Quick history lesson: Vision 2020 was launched by former prime minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, during the tabling of the sixth Malaysia plan in 1991. While we were thinking of flying cars and teleportation, the vision was actually to bring the country up into a self-sufficient, industrialised nation, at the same time encompassing every aspect of life: economic prosperity, social well-being, world-class education, political stability, and a psychological balance.
Anyway, this banknote series had a different design approach than the first two series. Whilst the first series featured geometrical designs and the second depicted the Malaysian culture, the third series depicted the country’s rapid economic development and achievements – KL Tower, Petronas Twin Towers, KLIA, MEASAT, Proton, and the like.
If you were wondering, we found that these RM2 notes are now being resold for… umm… a few times (10,500 times!) its original value! Not sure if anyone would actually pay that much, but hey, you do you:
A screenshot of an RM2 note from a seller on Lazada.
4. You can exchange damaged banknotes, but their value will depend on the damage
We all know that damaged banknotes can’t really be used (but hey, we keep seeing them anyway)… but did you know that you can actually get them exchanged at the bank?
However, how much you can exchange it for depends on how badly damaged the notes are. There are two ways to determine this, according to Bank Negara:
1) By the size of the banknote
(Image source: Bank Negara)
From left to right:
- If you have more than 2/3 of the original banknote’s size, you can get a full value back
- If you have more than 1/2 but less than 2/3, you can get half the value back
- If you have less than 1/2 of the original banknote’s size, you won’t get anything back
2) By the level of defacement
(Image source: Bank Negara)
From left to right:
- For minor defacement, you can get the full value back
- For markings on the portrait of SPB Yang di-Pertuan Agong or writings depicting political, religious and racial elements, there is no value
- For major defacement or indication of banknotes used as a writing pad, there is no value
We haven’t had the Ringgit for very long, but it’s already so fascinating
If you really think about it, we’re a pretty young nation. It’s been only 63 years since we gained our independence, and 57 years since we united Semenanjung with Sabah and Sarawak. On top of that, Bank Negara Malaysia had only begun issuing our currency notes in June 1967 (that’s 53 years ago!).
But in these few decades, we have been innovating the way we use the Ringgit in many ways. With a wide range of credit cards and e-wallets to suit each person’s requirements and lifestyles, we don’t even need to see the actual Ringgit to make a transaction!
Plus, if you need a financial boost, you no longer need to endure a long wait like back in the day – loans can be approved in mere minutes and the money can be wired to your account in as fast as 24 hours.
In our increasingly digital world, we can’t help but wonder just how different things would be in the next decade. Who knows what the future holds? We’re excited!
Meanwhile, if you ever wonder how people use to spend and manage their finances before Merdeka, check out the article below:
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Here’s How Much Your Favourite Malaysian Food Cost In 1957 vs In 2022
- By CompareHero.my
- August 26, 2021
With the rising costs of food and other essentials which reportedly have shot up by 60%, there’s no doubt that most of us are feeling the pinch especially when it comes to eating out in 2022.
According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s April consumer price index (CPI) report, food inflation was 4.1 per cent higher compared to the same month last year, with 89.1 per cent of items in the food and beverages group recording price increases.
But today, we’re going to be comparing their prices, specifically. It goes without saying that things were WAY cheaper 64 years ago. Also, up until 1975, Malaysia’s currency was not ringgit but Malaysian Dollars.
Now let’s get into the prices of all your favourite food in 1957; the year of our independence.
1. Teh tarik
The all famous teh tarik: you can find it almost anywhere. At a mamak, a cafe, a roadside stall. This all-time favourite has seen a pretty decent increase in its price since Merdeka.
1957: 5 cents
2022: RM2-RM3
In more ‘atas’ places, the price can go up to RM8-10, but the price above is just an average.
We also just found out that in 2015, a restaurant named Teh Tarik Place sold the drink at the price it was in 1957 during Merdeka that year.
2. Nasi lemak
Nasi lemak is synonymous to Malaysia and there are so many variations of it today! It was a staple meal back in the day and it still is one now.
1957: 10-15 cents
2022: RM1.50-RM2.50 (small packet)
By the 70s, the price of nasi lemak had gone up to 30 cents. And while you can get a small packet today for a ringgit or two, you can find them being sold from RM10 to even RM25 in more posh places.
3. Roti canai
Another all-time favourite—good old roti canai. Interestingly, roti canai wasn’t that cheap back in the day. Compared to other foods that we usually priced at 5 to 10 cents (even for heavier meals like noodles), roti canai was a whopping 20 cents even then!
1957: 20 cents
2022: RM1.50-RM2.50
4. Mee goreng
Do you miss the times when you could just hang out in the mamak with your friends and enjoy a piping hot plate of mee goreng. This writer does, for sure.
Known to be a comfort food for years, the price of mee goreng has increased considerably in the last 60+ years.
1957: 5-10 cents
2022: RM5-7
5. Laksa
Laksa has so many variations of it, and almost every state in Malaysia has its own type of laksa. It’s said to be a complete meal because you literally have noodles, vegetables, some meat and a whole lot of soupy goodness to keep you full.
Just like with mee goreng, laksa has also seen a steep increase in price since Merdeka.
1957: 5-10 cents
2022: RM6-RM10
6. Durian
Durian lovers, you might be surprised to know how cheap the fruit was back in the day. For just 80 cents (not sen), you could get a whole PILE (not kg) of durian.
Today, you can get kampung durians for RM6 per kg, but more expensive varieties can go up to RM180 per kg.
1957: 80 cents for a whole pile
2022: RM6-RM180 per kg
Related: 10 Durian Types You Can Get For Different Budgets
This article might have made you hungry with all the pictures of the food. If you’re looking to admire more pictures of Malaysian food, check out our article on the signature dishes of each Malaysian state below.
How many of these have you tried before? Let us know!
