Public suicide bid as millions of Thais wait for virus aid

No case of suicide in Malaysia so far because of the failure to get any financial aid.

Over here in Malaysia, the B40 (Bottom 40%) and the M40 (Middle 40%) have no need to apply for aid. Aid approval was automatic for the B40 and most of the M40, paid directly into bank accounts in 2 instalments, with the first payment made in early April.

Only those without any records with the income tax department have to apply, which was a very tiny minority. The B40, which don't pay any income tax anyway, have mostly registered with the income tax department in the past because that's the way to get a cost of living aid. This new "Caring" aid is an addition to that yearly COL aid.

The M40 also did not need to apply because they have tax records with the income tax department, and most of them got the Caring aid too.

Almost everyone get something from the Malaysian government during this difficult time. University students, who have no records with the income tax department, get aid via their universities. Businesses can apply for a wage subsidy to pay their workers. Micro enterprises can get aid from the government. Small businesses an apply for very cheap, government-guaranteed loans from banks.