Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Finance (MOF) announced that the Phase 3 payments of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) cash aid will commence in stages today, benefiting 5.3 million recipients with a total allocation of RM1.2 billion.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the number of recipients has increased by 300,000 since the beginning of the year, rising from five million to the current figure. Among these recipients, 3.9 million are low- and middle-income households, while 1.4 million are single senior citizens. The payments will range from RM150 to RM600 based on income and the number of children, with single senior citizens set to receive RM150.
The MOF stated that the total disbursement for the first three phases of 2026 has reached RM3.6 billion. Depending on their category, recipients can accumulate up to RM3,300 by August 2026, combining STR Phases 1 to 3 and the monthly SARA basic aid. This does not include the one-off SARA payment available to all Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above.
The aid structure has been revamped this year to provide more consistent support, with STR being distributed quarterly and SARA offering monthly basic aid to eligible individuals. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring that aid reaches those in need, especially as the cost of living remains a pressing issue.
The MOF further highlighted that improvements in governance and the restructuring of government finances have allowed more state revenue to be allocated to those in need. The total allocation for STR and SARA in 2026 stands at RM15 billion, marking the highest in the Federal government's history and nearly tripling the BR1M payments of 2016.
Recipients with bank accounts will receive their Phase 3 STR payments via direct credit starting today, while those without bank accounts can collect their payments in cash at any Bank Simpanan Nasional branch nationwide. To prevent misuse, new applications and appeals for STR are open year-round via the official STR portal.
The ministry also advised the public to be cautious of fraudulent links and scams, urging them to rely solely on the official STR portal for accurate information.