The Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) said that the approval for Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) was made automatically based on an individual's tax records for the 2018 year of assessment.

It said this in response to media reports that some MPs and dignitaries had been found to be eligible for the BPN aid, which began on April 6.

"Early checks have found that the process to determine BPN recipients are in order and those who have been approved are within the tax bracket which makes them eligible to receive the aid.

"For BPN payments as previously announced, the recipients are automatically approved based on the Cost of Living Aid (BSH) database and the tax records for 2018 taxable year assessment. However, the LHDN also welcomes the move by some MPs who have voluntarily returned the payment,” it said in a statement.

If there are any MPs or BPN recipients who would like to return the payment, they can do so by following certain procedures, which are as follows:

1. Provide a rejection letter with the full name and MyKad number;

2. Attach a bank draft or cheque to the Accountant-General's Department;

3. Submit to the Ministry of Finance at the following address: Pejabat Belanjawan Negara, Kementerian Kewangan Malaysia, Presint 2, 62592 Putrajaya.

-- BERNAMA