MALAYSIANS who travel frequently to Singapore are only entitled to receive the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah if they fulfil the eligibility criteria set by the Inland Revenue Board, including the requirement to reside in Malaysia, Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong has said.
Clarifying public concern over reports that cash aid eligibility had been “cancelled” for citizens who regularly cross into Singapore, Liew said such applications were not cancelled but instead recorded as unsuccessful under existing guidelines.
“It is actually not cancelled but given the status ‘Not Approved’ (under Reason Code 31), which applies to applicants or spouses who reside, work or pursue studies overseas,” he said in a Facebook post on Sunday.
“This means Malaysians who enter and exit Singapore eight times or more each month are interpreted as working overseas, based on the assumption that the individual is commuting on a weekly basis,” he said.
Liew explained that the Inland Revenue Board uses travel frequency data to distinguish between temporary travel and situations where a person is effectively residing or working outside the country.
“Movements of between one and seven times a month are still considered reasonable and usually involve temporary matters such as medical treatment, emergencies, short-term assignments or family affairs.
“However, eight trips or more per month are interpreted as a significant period spent overseas,” he said.
He stressed that the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah is a targeted cash assistance programme introduced under the spirit of “kita jaga kita” and is intended specifically for Malaysians living in the country.
“The government has a responsibility to ensure this assistance is distributed fairly, as it involves public funds and taxpayers’ money,” he said.
To ensure that only those who are genuinely eligible receive the aid, Liew said checks are conducted using data from various government agencies, including the Immigration Department, to verify applicants’ information.
In light of this, he encouraged Malaysians affected by the policy to submit appeals, which are open throughout the year.
“The MADANI government is always attentive to public feedback and remains open to considering appeals.
“For example, there are Malaysians who need to travel frequently to Singapore because they work as drivers for local logistics companies,” he said. - January 25, 2026
