BUKIT MERTAJAM: About 8.7 million people from the B40 segment are set to receive the second phase of Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) payment worth RM1.26bil.
The cash aid will be credited in stages beginning April 5 to the bank account of registered recipients in the STR database.
Beneficiaries who do not have a bank account can receive their payment at any BSN branch.
Those without banking access who reside in remote areas of Sabah and Sarawak can get their money via Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) mobile banking services.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the second phase of the STR during the presentation of the 2023 Supply Bill on March 29.
The funds will be channelled during Ramadan to the recipients, including single Malaysians aged 21 to 59 who earn less than RM2,500 a month.
With this second payment, a total RM2.93bil in STR allocation has been disbursed to the B40 group in 2023. Phases 3 and 4 will be paid out in July and November.
The STR cash aid programme brings relief to Muslims who are preparing for the upcoming Hari Raya.
Army pensioner Mat Saad Hashim, a 59-year-old bachelor who lives in Kubang Semang, said the RM100 cash aid came in handy for him.
“It may not be a big amount for some people, but it is timely assistance for folks like me,” he said.
Mat Saad, who also received RM100 in January under the first phase, said he is happy with the care shown by the federal government which has continued with the cash aid programme for the needy.
Fellow recipient Ibrahim Abdullah, 49, who is also single, commended the federal government and urged them to extend such financial assistance in view of the high cost of living.
K. Rajasegaran, 41, said the STR payment process at BSN only took less than 20 minutes. The roti canai vendor is eligible for STR under the family category.
Teoh Chin Leong, 53, who received a RM200 payout, plans to use the money to pay for his daughter’s study material at her university.
The STR programme has received widespread praise for its effectiveness in providing much needed assistance to the most vulnerable members of society.
The success of this cash assistance highlights the government’s commitment to support Malaysians in need and has contributed significantly to improving the standard of living for low-income households across the country.
