By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Jan 21: The distribution of the first phase of Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) will commence tomorrow (Jan 22), with an allocation of RM2.3 billion, marking an increase from RM2.1 billion last year.
In a statement issued today, the Ministry of Finance Malaysia noted that this rollout follows the recent distribution of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) initiative last week.
Together, these programmes for 2025 will benefit nearly nine million recipients, representing 60 per cent of Malaysia’s adult population.
For 2025, the Madani government has raised the maximum aid rate for households to RM4,600, a nearly 25 per cent increase compared to RM3,700 in the previous year. The minimum aid for single individuals has also been increased to RM600 from RM500, reflecting a 20 per cent rise.
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised that the increase in STR Phase 1 allocation—far exceeding the country’s inflation rate—demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving the well-being of the majority of Malaysians, despite global and domestic challenges posed by the rising cost of living.
“The rise in living costs is a global phenomenon. The Madani government hopes that the increased contributions through Sara and STR this year will help ease the burden on the people,” he said.
The STR Phase 1 payments will be disbursed in stages starting Jan 22. Recipients registered under the STR database will receive payments either via bank transfers or in cash through Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), depending on their eligibility category.
New applications or updates to recipient information for STR can be made throughout the year. Applicants not listed in the STR database are encouraged to submit their applications via the official STR portal at http://bantuantunai.hasil.gov.my to enable verification and eligibility assessment.
For factual information, questions, or to check eligibility status, applicants should visit the official STR portal. The public is strongly advised to remain vigilant against fraudulent links or unscrupulous parties seeking to exploit the programme. — DayakDaily
