PUTRAJAYA: Starting today, an allocation of RM1.3bil will be distributed to qualified Malaysians under the second phase of Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), says the Prime Minister.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the early disbursement is intended to ease the financial burden of recipients during the Ramadan period.
“The STR payment was originally scheduled for April, but we are bringing it forward so recipients can benefit during Ramadan and ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri,” he said during the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry’s monthly assembly yesterday.
According to Anwar, the payment will benefit five million recipients, with funds to be credited directly into their bank accounts, while those without bank accounts, including recipients in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, can collect the payment in cash at Bank Simpanan Nasional branches.
He said the government remains committed to supporting low and middle-income households amid rising global economic pressures.
Anwar also expressed appreciation to the ministry’s enforcement and operational teams for their role in stabilising prices and ensuring adequate supply of essential goods nationwide.
He noted that programmes such as the Jualan Rahmah initiative have expanded significantly, with more items being offered to help ease the cost of living.
At the same time, Anwar said the government will continue to strengthen measures to ensure subsidies reach those who truly need them.
He cited the enforcement of a ban on the sale and purchase of subsidised 1kg cooking oil packets by foreigners, which came into effect on March 1.
“The subsidy is meant for Malaysians. It should not be abused or resold by foreigners,” he said, adding that strict enforcement will be carried out to ensure compliance.
Separately, Anwar announced that a special financial aid of RM500 will be distributed on March 13 to civil servants in Grade 15 and below, including contract staff.
Government retirees, including both pensioned and non-pensioned veterans, will receive RM250 on the same date, with the assistance exempted from income tax.
In addition, about 70,000 mosque officials such as imam, bilal, tok siak (mosque caretakers) and mosque committee members will also receive RM500 in special aid, which will likewise be paid on March 13.
Anwar said the initiatives reflect the government’s continued efforts to ease the financial burden on various groups while ensuring assistance reaches those most in need.
Additionally, he announced that the government will expand the FlySiswa initiative, which provides RM400 in flight subsidies for students travelling between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
The programme will now cover students from the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage, Industrial Training Institutes under the Labour Department, government-linked universities, state-owned higher education institutions, as well as the Plantation and Commodities Institute.
“This subsidy is meant to reduce the burden on students who need to travel between Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsula,” he said.
The expansion is expected to benefit 50,000 students in 2026, compared with 44,000 last year.
Anwar said the government is reviewing measures under the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA) to ensure certain lower-grade civil service positions continue to receive adequate protection.
The Prime Minister also expressed concern over the involvement of school-going teenagers in terrorist group activities.
He said the revelation by Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail regarding such activities must be taken seriously, as it could stem from misguided upbringing or harmful exposure.
“Recently, schoolchildren, even those in their teens, were found to be involved in preparations for acts of violence, as revealed by the IGP. Children involved could have been misled through wrong upbringing or exposure.
“This should serve as a warning for us to remain vigilant,” he said.
