Aid rises, but economic strain persists

GEORGE TOWN: Although cash aid programmes like Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sum­bangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) are welcomed relief efforts, there are calls for the government to address the root cause of financial hardship in the lower-income group.

Housewife Azimah Aziz, 41, said the initiatives are timely, but stressed the need to reduce the impact of rising prices of essential goods.