PUTRAJAYA: Payments for Phase 2 of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) to 8.4 million recipients will begin tomorrow.
It will involve payments ranging from RM100 to RM650, said the Finance Ministry.
It said existing and new recipients registered in the STR database will receive payments through their bank accounts or cash at Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) branches in stages, based on their eligible categories.
It added that the government has begun a new approach to open registration for STR 2024 throughout the year in order to allow more people to benefit from government assistance.
“Therefore, the number of eligible recipients is expected to increase this year, taking into account the ongoing new applications and information updates compared with once a year previously,” it said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported.
If applicants’ names are not available on the STR database, they need to apply in order to complete a verification process based on the eligible STR category, said the ministry.
It also said the government has increased the allocation for the targeted subsidy programme under STR Phase 2 by 20%, amounting to RM1.5bil compared with RM1.26bil last year, aimed at assisting low and middle-income earners cope with the rising cost of living.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in the same statement, said the economic reforms led by the government are not only aimed at rectifying the nation’s financial structure, but are also driven by “a sincere intention to ensure that the country’s wealth is shared more equitably”.
“The government will further increase cash assistance to the people in line with the improvement of the country’s fiscal situation, including the implementation of targeted subsidies for those truly in need,” said Anwar.
The public can check their eligibility status for STR and the “Frequently Asked Questions” section on the official STR portal at https://bantuantunai.hasil.gov.my.
The ministry also advised recipients to be wary of unverified links from irresponsible parties when looking for information on the STR programme.
Meanwhile, the government will also give a special Aidilfitri financial aid of RM500 to civil servants of Grade 56 and below, including contract appointees, said Anwar. He said RM250 will be paid to government retirees, including pensionable and non-pensionable veterans.
