Festive joy: Noraini (left), with her daughter Nur Irdina Qalesya Ariffin and Ariffin, is grateful for STR. With the cash assistance, she can prepare Raya cookies and spend more on clothes for Nur Irdina. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
BUKIT MERTAJAM: With the government’s Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), hawker Noraini Mohd Yusof is now able to spend more on Raya clothes for her seven-year-old daughter.
Usually, she would buy one outfit for the girl.
Noraini expressed her gratitude for the RM500 under STR, which has eased her family’s Raya preparations.
With a household income of less than RM2,000, she and her husband, Ariffin Othman, 44, who helps run their hawker business, must carefully manage their expenses.
Despite the financial constraints, she remains committed to ensuring her family enjoys the festive season.
“Our Raya celebration is nothing extravagant, just enough to bring joy to the family. This year, I made a few Raya cookies and simple dishes to bring to my parents’ house in Selama, Perak.
“We will be there a few days before heading to my husband’s hometown in Kulim on the third day of Raya.
“We keep our celebrations simple and cherish the opportunity to spend quality time with our loved ones.
“For us, Raya is about togetherness, not luxury,” she said when met at her home in Bukit Mertajam.
Born with a facial deformity, Noraini’s condition has gradually worsened over the years, but it has not impacted her health.
She hopes the STR will continue to support underprivileged families like hers, easing their daily struggles.
“We don’t ask for much, just enough to keep going and provide for our families,” she said.
It was earlier reported that the government had started disbursing Phase 2 of the STR on March 24, with an allocation of RM1.7bil, up from RM1.5bil last year.
The Finance Ministry, in a statement, announced that 8.5 million recipients, accounting for 60% of Malaysian adults, will receive up to RM650 in assistance under the second phase of STR.
It said the Madani government has remained attentive to the needs of the majority in easing the cost-of-living burden, especially with Aidilfitri approaching.
Odd-job worker Khairul Anuar Harun, 46, is grateful for the STR cash aid, which has eased his family’s financial burden.
Living in Kampung Pelet, Kubang Semang on the mainland, Khairul received RM300 under the second phase of STR aid on Monday.
He plans to buy ingredients for his wife to cook for Hari Raya.
With two daughters aged 12 and nine, Khairul had already spent RM400 on new clothes for them.
“It’s a modest amount, but it helps to cover the cost of our children’s needs.
“Our Raya preparations are minimal.
“We’ll cook a simple meal of nasi ayam and some Raya cookies, just enough for the family,” he said.
This year, the family will celebrate Hari Raya in his wife’s hometown in Pahang.
Khairul says they live modestly, spending only what is necessary.
“A simple celebration is enough as long as we are together,” he added.
