Latest news with #SumbanganTunaiRahmah
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar: Don't mock RM100 aid – it adds up for needy families
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has rebuked critics for downplaying the government's recent RM100 SARA cash aid, stressing that the assistance forms part of a broader initiative to ease the rakyat's financial burden. "These are supplementary measures. It's as though some opposition MPs think it's merely RM100. Did they not read the full details? "If a low-income household has two children over the age of 18 and both parents are eligible, they could receive up to RM700 when combined with the existing Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and SARA benefits. That is not an insignificant sum. Naturally, for a single individual, the amount will be lower. "I have no issue with criticism, but don't belittle this by saying it's 'just RM100' and questioning what it can buy. This is the maximum we can allocate in addition to the existing provisions," he said during the Finance Ministry's monthly assembly.
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar: Sejahtera Madani scheme will help eradicate hardcore poverty
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will launch the Sejahtera Madani initiative today as part of efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said the initiative was a continuation of the government's commitment to supporting the hardcore poor and the poor, through joint efforts by the government and the corporate sector. "Eradicating hardcore poverty has been my priority since the beginning. By the end of 2024, nearly 150,000 hardcore poor households were lifted out of poverty." He said this during a special announcement yesterday that was broadcast live on television channels and social media. Anwar, who is finance minister, said the government had been improving assistance to the people to ease the burden of living expenses since the beginning of his tenure. He said one of the most significant steps was the allocation of RM13 billion for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara), the largest such allocation in the nation's history. "Cash assistance under the Social Welfare Department was increased to RM2.9 billion to boost the monthly welfare assistance for the elderly and children from poor families." He said the government also empowered padi farmers by raising the padi floor price to RM1,500 this year, following increases in 2022 and 2023, and increasing the padi price subsidy scheme rate to RM500 in 2023. In the commodity sector, he said the government increased the rubber production incentive to RM3 per kg last year, following increases in 2022 and 2023. He announced a one-off RM100 cash aid to every adult citizen under the Sara programme, postponed the toll rate increase for 10 highways and lowered the RON95 price to RM1.99 per litre. He said more initiatives would be introduced in the 2026 Budget in October. "These are the measures for now. By the end of 2025, we hope to improve with a clearer commitment to provide benefits in the 2026 Budget in October."
The Star
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Good news – cash aid, cheaper fuel
Govt offering much-needed relief measures to ease living cost of rakyat PETALING JAYA: Malaysians can look forward to a series of measures aimed at easing cost of living, including a one-off RM100 cash aid for those 18 years and above, and cheaper RON95 soon. The cash assistance will be credited directly into their MyKad under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) initiative. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced these measures in a special announcement aired live on his social media platforms yesterday. Offered in conjunction with National Day on Aug 31, he said the incentives were aimed at easing the rising cost of living and a token of appreciation for the people. 'With this announcement, the combined allocation for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sara rises from RM13bil to RM15bil this year, marking the first time in history that cash aid is extended to all adult Malaysians,' he said. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said this initiative would benefit 22 million Malaysians with an allocation of RM2bil. This assistance, said Anwar, can be used from Aug 31 to Dec 31 this year, to buy essentials at over 4,100 outlets nationwide, including major supermarkets such as Mydin, Lotus's, Econsave, 99Speedmart and participating grocers. 'It will be distributed on individual basis, not by household. So, for example, a household with a husband, wife and two adult children will receive a total of RM400,' he said. Anwar said the cost of living remained a pressing challenge that must be addressed wisely and urgently. He added that while overall inflation in June 2025 dropped to 1.1%, the lowest in 52 months, food and beverage prices continued to rise above the national average. 'There may be some among us who are financially secure and do not need this aid. The government intends to reallocate any unspent funds by year-end towards assistance programmes for vulnerable groups next year,' he added. In a separate statement, the Finance Ministry said collectively, households have the potential to receive a higher amount of Sara credit. 'For example, a family comprising a husband, wife, and two children aged 18 and above would receive a total of RM400, instead of just RM100,' it said. The Sara credit can be used to buy over 90,000 essential items across 14 categories, including rice, egg, household cleaning products, medicine and school supplies. 'The RM100 credit is valid until its expiry date of Dec 31, 2025. 'Any unspent balance will be redistributed to vulnerable groups through a programme to be determined later,' said the ministry. Sara complemented the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) initiative, which provided monthly credits specifically for purchasing basic necessities, it added. The initiative was introduced by the government in its first Madani Budget in 2023 and currently benefits 5.4 million active recipients. 'Both initiatives are a token of appreciation from the government to all Malaysians who continue to support the nation's fiscal reform agenda. 'They also reflect the Madani government's commitment to redistributing the nation's growing wealth, a result of bold fiscal reforms and more efficient economic management, guided by the Madani Economic Framework. Anwar also highlighted that the Jualan Rahmah Madani initiative will be enhanced to assist the public in managing living costs. The government, he added, will double the initiative's allocation from RM300mil to RM600mil. This funding will increase the frequency and expand the Jualan Rahmah Madani to include all 600 state constituencies nationwide, said Anwar, who is also Finance Minister. 'The additional allocation will, among others, increase the frequency and expand the number of locations nationwide, covering all 600 state constituencies,' he said. Anwar also said the price of RON95 petrol will soon be reduced to RM1.99 per litre under a targeted subsidy scheme with further details to be announced by the end of September. The government, he said, was committed to optimising national subsidy spending by ensuring that ordinary Malaysians continued to benefit from subsidies, while curbing leakage to those not eligible. 'Once the targeted RON95 subsidy is implemented, the government will reduce the price of RON95 petrol to RM1.99 per litre exclusively for Malaysian citizens, while foreign nationals will have to pay the unsubsidised market price.' The initiative, he said, would benefit about 18 million motorists, including youths as young as 16 and gig economy workers. 'In 2023 and 2024 alone, subsidies for RON95 were estimated to cost nearly RM20bil annually. 'Even this year, despite a drop in global oil prices, the unsubsidised price of RON95 remains around RM2.50 per litre, significantly higher than the subsidised rate Malaysians currently enjoy,' he said. He explained that the move aims to ensure that ordinary citizens continued receiving fuel subsidy while leakage to ineligible groups, including foreigners, are addressed. To address the critical need for doctors in hospitals and government healthcare facilities, Anwar also announced that over 4,000 positions for government doctors, including contract medical officers, would be available this year. He confirmed that 4,352 new doctors, including those on contract, would be hired this year. According to projections released in 2023 by Dr Hirman Ismail, deputy director of the Health Ministry's medical development division, the public healthcare sector would require 63,040 doctors by 2025 and 79,931 by 2030. As of last year, there were nearly 52,000 doctors employed in government service.
Barnama
12 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
RM4 Bln Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah Cash Aid Disbursed Via Phase 1 And 2 Payments -- MOF
BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- The latest data showed that over 8.5 million Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) recipients have been registered, and RM4 billion in cash aid disbursed through the initiative's Phase 1 and 2 payments, said the Ministry of Finance (MOF). The ministry highlighted that two more STR payment phases are scheduled for August and November this year. 'The government has increased the allocation for STR and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) to a record high of RM13 billion, up from RM10 billion. 'This increase continues to benefit nine million recipients, equivalent to 60 per cent of Malaysia's adult population,' it said in a written reply posted on the Parliament's website today. The ministry was responding to a question from Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) regarding the total financial allocation disbursed in 2024 for the SARA programme. Regarding the SARA programme, MOF said that as of July 14, 2025, more than 4.9 million recipients have used their MyKad to purchase basic goods at participating stores. It said the purchases reflect an overall usage rate of 92 per cent in the fourth month of credit disbursement. 'A total of 5.4 million recipients have been registered, with an annual SARA entitlement amounting to RM5 billion. 'The number of SARA recipients also significantly increased from 700,000 to 5.4 million starting April 2025,' it said.
The Sun
13 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
RM4 bil STR cash aid disbursed to 8.5 mil recipients in 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Finance (MOF) confirmed that over 8.5 million Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) recipients have received RM4 billion in cash aid under Phase 1 and 2 payments. Two additional phases are scheduled for August and November 2025. The government increased STR and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) allocations to a record RM13 billion, up from RM10 billion. This benefits nine million recipients, covering 60 per cent of Malaysia's adult population. MOF stated this in a parliamentary reply to Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka), who inquired about SARA's 2024 financial allocation. For SARA, over 4.9 million recipients have used MyKad to buy essentials at participating stores as of July 14, 2025. The programme recorded a 92 per cent usage rate in its fourth month, with RM5 billion allocated annually for 5.4 million recipients. 'The number of SARA recipients surged from 700,000 to 5.4 million starting April 2025,' MOF added. The government continues monitoring to ensure aid reaches those facing cost-of-living challenges. – Bernama
