JOHOR BARU – Putrajaya will release RM1.67 billion worth of financial aid to B40 groups under the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) programme from tomorrow (January 17) onwards.
The first phase of STR, which was set to be released by March, has been brought forward to combat the rising cost of living, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Each of the four million eligible households will be getting RM300, while 1.2 million single senior citizens will receive RM100 each.
The same goes for 3.5 million bachelors who will each get RM100.
The initial phase of the programme is set to benefit 8.7 million recipients where the funds will be released to individual bank accounts.
“STR recipients in rural areas, including Sabah and Sarawak, whether they have bank accounts or not, will also receive their aid tomorrow.
“Recipients without bank accounts can get their aid at Bank Simpanan Nasional branches tomorrow onwards,” Anwar said in a statement.
The STR programme is understood to be a rebranding of the government’s cash assistance scheme announced by the previous administrations.
“The unity government emphasises a compassionate approach to assist affected groups in the country,” Anwar’s statement also said.
“In line with this approach, the government introduces the Payung Rahmah concept to combat the rising cost of living.
“The cash assistance programme for the B40 under the Finance Ministry is rebranded to the STR and the government will continue to make improvements.” – The Vibes, January 16, 2023