THE government will commence the distribution of the first phase of the 2026 Tunai Rahmah (STR) cash assistance programme on January 20, with a total allocation of RM1.1 billion, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) announced.
The initiative is expected to benefit 3.7 million households and 1.3 million senior citizens without partners, with eligible recipients receiving between RM100 and RM500 depending on their category of entitlement.
“In line with the MADANI Government’s efforts to alleviate the cost-of-living burden more effectively, the government has restructured the STR and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) disbursements for this year,” the ministry said in a statement yesterday.
Under the revamped system, over eight million Malaysians are eligible to receive SARA on a monthly basis, including 400,000 individuals from low-income and hardcore-poor groups registered under the eKasih database.
“SARA represents a basic support mechanism that provides continuous assistance to the people,” the ministry added.
STR, by contrast, is a supplementary quarterly payment targeted at households and senior citizens earning RM5,000 or less per month, including low-income and hardcore-poor groups registered with eKasih.
This integrated approach aims to ensure targeted assistance is distributed in a more orderly, stable, and effective manner, while providing additional financial support during peak periods such as festive seasons.
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim highlighted that the total allocation for STR and SARA this year amounts to RM15 billion, marking the highest in the history of the Federal Government.
“The MADANI Economic Framework seeks to raise the living standards of the people so that everyone can stand equally and sit with dignity. When the people are cared for and basic needs are met, the economic ceiling can be raised more sustainably and robustly,” he said.
To minimise the risk of eligible recipients being overlooked, MOF stated that new applications and appeals for STR will remain open throughout the year via the official portal at [https://bantuantunai.hasil.gov.my](https://bantuantunai.hasil.gov.my).
“Eligibility is based on income thresholds as stipulated. In line with best practices for social assistance programmes, all applications undergo verification processes with various government agencies to confirm applicants’ eligibility,” the ministry said.
For new applicants, verification will also include quarterly checks on residential property ownership, vehicle ownership, business holdings, and records of employment or residence abroad.
MOF stressed that applicants must provide accurate information and warned that false or misleading details could result in legal action or the revocation of approved assistance.
Recipients are also cautioned against fraudulent links or scams, as MOF has stated it never requests personal information via SMS or WhatsApp, advising the public to rely solely on the official STR portal for updates and guidance. - January 16, 2026
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