PETALING JAYA: RM13bil has been allocated for Rahmah Cash Contribution (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara), the highest amount for cash aid ever.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this involves an additional allocation of RM3bil, bringing it to a total of RM13bil.
“This increase will benefit nine million recipients, equivalent to 60% of the country's adult population.
"We acknowledge and listen to concerns about the cost of living. Therefore, we took measures, which is the highest increase of allocation and cash assistance ever given by the government to address the people's cost of living issue," said Anwar when tabling Budget 2025,” he said on Friday (Oct 18).
He added that 4.1 million STR recipients from the household category would receive Sara of RM100 per month in 2025, compared to 700,000 recipients in 2024.
The cash aid will be distributed to the MyKad of recipients from April 2025 to buy basic necessities, medicine, school supplies and more, he said.
Six hundred supermarkets have agreed to be part of this initiative, he said.
"An additional allocation of RM3bil will allow the maximum amount received by households to increase to RM4,600, compared to RM3,700,” he said.
Anwar said STR recipients who are single will receive RM600 worth in aid.
He also said welfare aid for senior citizens had been increased to RM600 a month from the current RM500.
Anwar also said aid for impoverished children had been increased to RM250 from the previous RM200 for children below six years old.
For children between seven to 18, Anwar said welfare aid has been increased to RM200 from the RM150.
Anwar said that collectively, recipients of STR, Sara and Welfare Department aid will receive over RM13,000 annually for a family of three children.
"it is a critical increase from the present RM11,000," said Anwar.
"For poor senior citizens, they are receiving over RM10,000 a month compared to the present RM8,000.
"This means that no Malaysian is making less than RM1,100 per month... It is our responsibility to ensure that no one is left out," added Anwar.
