Kuala Lumpur: Payment of Phase 1 Rahmah Cash Donation (STR) will be disbursed in stages starting tomorrow, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF). The payments will be credited to the bank accounts of registered recipients or distributed in cash through Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) according to the respective STR qualification categories.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ministry of Finance stated that STR 2025 involves an allocation of RM2.3 billion, an increase from RM2.1 billion last year. The 2025 STR and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) 2025 are expected to benefit nearly nine million recipients, representing 60 percent of the adult population in Malaysia.

The government has increased the maximum rate for households to RM4,600, marking an increase of almost 25 percent compared to the previous year's RM3,700. Similarly, the minimum rate for singles has been raised to RM600 from RM500, reflecting a 20 percent increase.

In a statement, the Ministry of Finance mentioned that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, also the Finance Minister, emphasized that the increased allocation for STR Phase 1 surpasses the national inflation rate. This increase underscores the government's commitment to improving the welfare of a significant portion of the population amid rising living costs.

Anwar noted that although the rising cost of living is a global issue, the MADANI government hopes that the annual increase in SARA and STR contributions will help citizens achieve a better standard of living. Applications for STR are open throughout the year, and individuals not listed in the STR database are required to apply via the official STR portal at https://bantuantunnai.hasil.gov.my.

The Ministry of Finance also advises the public to be cautious of unauthentic links shared by irresponsible parties.