PHASE 4 of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) 2025 cash aid has come at just the right time say recipients, especially for year-end expenses.
Single mother S. Sita, 46, said it has been a great help in preparing for Deepavali, school reopening and daily household needs.
Working as a cleaner and caring for four children, including a daughter with disabilities, Sita said every bit of support makes a difference.
“With the rising cost of goods and services, every ringgit counts.
“I’m grateful to the government for continuing this initiative.
“The money will be very useful, especially when school reopens.
“I’ll need to buy uniforms, shoes and stationery for my children,” she said.
Taxi driver, Teoh Soo Han, 75, said the STR payment was a welcome relief amid rising living costs.
“As an elderly person still working to make ends meet, this assistance helps me pay my household bills and for everyday expenses,” said the taxi driver of 40 years.
He said the cash aid showed that the Government cares about senior citizens who continue to work despite their age.
“It may not be a huge amount, but it makes a difference, especially when you’re on a tight budget,” he added.
Another recipient, Rifhan Anuar, 25, who just got married, said the aid comes at the right time now that he is starting a new chapter in his life.
“For now, I am receiving the single individual STR, which totals RM600 a year,” he said, adding that he plans to update his status next year to reflect his household income with his wife.
Rifhan said the contribution helps newlyweds like him manage expenses.
The Government started disbursing the Phase 4 payments on Oct 18, ahead of Deepavali.
In a statement, the Finance Ministry said about 8.8 million recipients would benefit from the early disbursement involving RM2bil.
The early disbursement aimed to provide financial relief.
It added that payment could reach RM700 depending on category.
The payout also benefitted 200,000 newly approved applicants who started recieving theirs on Nov 13.
Compared with Phase 1 this January, the number of recipients have increased by 500,000 individuals and households from 8.3 million previously following the Government’s decision to keep STR and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) applications open throughout the year.
In this phase, households earning below RM2,500 received between RM200 and RM700, while those earning RM2,501 to RM5,000 received between RM100 and RM350.
Senior citizens without a spouse and single individuals received RM150.
For existing recipients, payments were credited to their bank accounts between Oct 18 and 24, while those without bank accounts — including recipients in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan — received cash payments via Bank Simpanan Nasional.
