The government is expediting payment of the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) because of the flood and will begin making the payment on Jan 15 next year, Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah said Monday.

He said the payment would be made in stages, where priority would be given to recipients in states affected by the floods.

"The government is concerned with the difficulties facing the flood victims, especially the BR1M recipients.

"Therefore, the government agrees that the BR1M payment which is scheduled at the end of January 2015 to be brought forward beginning Jan 15, 2015," he said in a statement.

He said the process and updating of BR1M had also been extended to Jan 31, 2015.

The updating process can be made through the BR1M official portal at https://ebr1m.hasil.gov.my or the nearest branch office of the Inland Revenue Board.

For BR1M recipients who died last year, Ahmad Husni said their next-of-kin could claim for the Takaful i-BR1M. They could do so until March 31, 2015.

The form could be obtained at www.malaysiantakaful.com.my or call i-BR1M hotline at 03-27162716 or e-mail to [email protected].