People seen shopping for groceries.
Consumers, especially those who have received “Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah” (STR) since Jan 29, are making full use of various promotions carried out by major supermarkets in conjunction with Chinese New Year, to purchase daily necessities.
A check by Bernama at several supermarkets found that many recipients have utilised the cash assistance under STR Phase 1, which was credited to their accounts.
They praised the government’s move to increase the allocation, which they said was a big help in easing their cost of living burden.
Recipient Abd Kadir Soib, 62, a retired army personnel from Chemor in Perak, said he was grateful to be listed as a cash aid recipient.
“Nowadays, people need cash to spend on necessities, which is why I see STR as the most effective incentive in empowering the people.
A consumer looking for fresh fish at a supermarket in Meru, Klang, Selangor.
“Even though I have retired and my children are all grown up, it still helps reduce my family’s expenses, especially now that the cost of living has increased so much,” he said.
Private company clerk Noor Shafika Ahmad Husni, 36, said the government’s initiative to increase the aid from RM300 to RM500 this year was appropriate.
“I have two schoolgoing children. During the Chinese New Year break, I took the opportunity to purchase school supplies for them,” she said.
Another recipient, Khalid Aziz, 76, from Changkat Larang in Lahat, Perak said the STR had a significant impact, especially on the B40 group, in boosting the economy through spending activities.
“As a senior citizen, I am truly grateful to be among the recipients.
“My wife and I use it for groceries and we also share it with our grandchildren.
“I hope this initiative will continue,” he said.
This is the highest cash assistance ever provided to help alleviate the cost of living crisis.
The payment for STR Phase 1 has been increased to RM500 per household compared to the maximum payment of RM300 last year.
This involves a phased allocation of over RM2.1bil to eligible individuals starting from Jan 29.
