By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 15: Phase 3 payments of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) cash aid will be disbursed in stages from today, benefiting 5.3 million recipients with a total allocation of RM1.2 billion.
In a statement, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said that the number of recipients has increased by 300,000 from five million at the start of the year. They comprise 3.9 million low- and middle-income households and 1.4 million single senior citizens.
“The Phase 3 payments range from RM150 to RM600, depending on income and number of children, while single senior citizens will receive RM150.
“Overall, the total disbursement for the first three phases of 2026 has reached RM3.6 billion.
“Depending on the category they fall under, recipients can collect up to RM3,300 in total by August 2026, combining STR Phases 1 to 3 and the monthly SARA basic aid.
“This amount does not include the one-off SARA payment for all Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above,” it said.
The government revamped the assistance scheme this year to provide more regular support, with STR paid quarterly and SARA providing monthly basic aid to eligible recipients.
In the same statement, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also finance minister, said the government will continue to ensure that assistance reaches those in need, as the cost of living remains a challenge.
“With the cost of living still posing difficulties for some, the government will continue to ensure that aid reaches those who need it.
“That is why the number of households receiving STR has increased from 3.7 million at the start of the year to 3.9 million for Phase 3.
The ministry said reforms to government finances and improved governance had enabled more state revenue to be channelled to those in need.
The total allocation for STR and SARA in 2026 stands at RM15 billion, the highest in the federal government’s history and nearly three times the amount disbursed under the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) scheme in 2016.
Recipients with bank accounts will receive their Phase 3 STR payments through direct credit from today, while those without bank accounts can collect their payments in cash at any Bank Simpanan Nasional branch nationwide.
To minimise leakage, applications and appeals for STR remain open throughout the year through the official STR portal at bantuantunai.hasil.gov.my. — DayakDaily
