THE Government will begin disbursing the second phase of its Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) cash assistance scheme to 5.2 million recipients starting 10 March, with payments brought forward to help households prepare for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the early disbursement during the Prime Minister’s monthly assembly today, stating that the initiative would provide timely financial support to millions of Malaysians ahead of the festive period.
The second phase will involve an allocation of RM1.3 billion, an increase from the RM1.1 billion provided in the first phase in January.
The number of recipients has also risen to 5.2 million compared with five million in Phase 1.
Overall, the payments will benefit 3.8 million households and 1.4 million elderly individuals without spouses, with assistance ranging from RM100 to RM600 depending on eligibility category.
The expansion also includes 200,000 newly approved recipients, who will begin receiving payments from 30 March 2026.
Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, said the broader coverage would ensure more Malaysians benefit from government social assistance as the nation approaches Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“Through STR, Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) as well as SARA Untuk Semua, the MADANI Government continues to strive to ensure the nation’s wealth can be shared and utilised by the people, especially those in need,” he said.
For 2026, the combined allocation for STR and SARA stands at RM15 billion, remaining the largest social assistance allocation in the history of the Federal Government.
The Ministry of Finance said payments will be made in stages.
Recipients with bank accounts will receive funds credited directly starting 10 March for existing beneficiaries, while newly approved recipients will receive payments beginning 30 March.
Recipients without bank accounts, including those in Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territory of Labuan, will be able to collect cash payments through branches of Bank Simpanan Nasional.
Under Phase 2, households earning RM2,500 or below — representing about 2.7 million recipients — will receive between RM150 and RM600, involving a financial implication of roughly RM1.0 billion.
Households with incomes between RM2,501 and RM5,000, numbering about 1.1 million recipients, will receive between RM100 and RM250, amounting to around RM0.1 billion.
A further 1.4 million elderly individuals without spouses will each receive RM150, involving an allocation of approximately RM0.2 billion.
The Ministry of Finance also urged the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent links and scam attempts, advising that all official information regarding STR payments should be obtained only through the programme’s official portal.
Further details and frequently asked questions are available via the government’s official cash assistance portal. - March 9, 2026
