KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 — The Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) given to lower-income households should not be politicised as other countries like Saudi Arabia practise similar policies, the prime minister said today.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak said statements by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who had likened BR1M to bribes, were baseless, citing Saudi Arabia as an example that also has cash aids.

“Some ministers who are currently visiting us told me that they create bank accounts and deposit monies for people who are in need.

“But when we do [it], it is called bribing,” he said at the launch of Kerinchi Residensi flat.

Najib said the new flat complex was a refurbished old PKNS flat development that could cater up to 400 residents.

The new flat, an initiative by the federal government, was 900 sq ft per unit and given to each resident for free.