Rahmah cash aid will increase to RM10 billion next year, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the tabling of Budget 2024 at Dewan Rakyat today.
The allocation, he said, will increased by RM2 billion from RM8 billion last year.
During the budget tabling, Anwar said the aid (Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah or STR) would help reduce the cost of living of nearly nine million beneficiaries, or 60 per cent of Malaysia’s adult population.
The Finance minister said targeted subsidies allows the government to improve and increase the allocation for STR aid.
Besides the RM2 billion increase, or 25 per cent, the maximum cash aid to be given will also increase to RM3,700 from RM3,100 next year.
“The minimum amount will now be RM500 compared to RM350 previously,” he said, adding the first payment for STR next year of up to RM500 will be made by February next year before Ramadan.
He added STR 2024 will take a different approach, where the application will be opening in November 2023, and it will remain open for the rest of the year.
Meanwhile, Anwar said Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) will be crediting RM100 monthly to the MyKad of 200,000 beneficiaries for the period of six months.
“With SARA, recipients will only have to go to retail shops for basic necessities using their MyKad.
“As the aid has been well-received, the government has decided to expand the aid to 700,000 recipients, who will receive RM100 monthly for 12 months, instead of six months.
Earlier, Anwar said the government had carried out various measures to curb leakages of public funds, namely stopping direct negotiations for people’s projects, restructuring of targeted subsidies and enhancing enforcement actions against exploitation of subsidised items such as cigarettes.
The Malaysia Madani 2024 Budget will be the second national budget tabled by the unity government under the leadership of Anwar.
The tabling of the Budget, which began at 4pm, is being broadcasted live on local television and social media platforms.
