STR Phase 3: Recipients Grateful For Help In Buying Kitchen And School Items

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- The disbursement of the third phase of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), or Rahmah cash aid, which began today, reflects the government’s commitment to easing cost-of-living pressures, with recipients using the aid to meet various family needs.

In KEDAH, vegetable seller Noor Syakilah Adzhar, 42, from Taman Wira Mergong, said the STR assistance would help her purchase essential items, particularly disposable diapers and formula milk, for her four-year-old twin sons.

“My husband earns a daily wage from mowing lawns, so his income is irregular. We have to be very careful with our spending, but this STR assistance really helps us buy essential items and food for our family of six,” she told Bernama.

Retiree, Borhan Abd Rahim, 67, from Taman Berjaya, near Pendang, who has been living alone since his wife passed away three years ago, said that the STR assistance he received would be used to buy food items including rice, cooking oil, and sugar.

“I am grateful that the government cares about senior citizens like me. I will use this money wisely,” he said.

Meanwhile, in MELAKA, cobbler Asyraf Ismail, 35, from Ayer Keroh, said that the STR payment he received today had eased his financial burden, especially in purchasing household necessities at the end of the month.

“It has allowed me to stock up on food items for my children ahead of the end-of-month school holidays. This assistance is a big help for me, as I have three growing children,” he said.

In PERAK, food trader Mohd Rithauddeen Mohd Mustapha, 48, said that the STR assistance would be used to purchase basic necessities for his household, and support his family.

“Usually, when the STR payment comes in, I buy household items - and with this assistance, I can buy a little extra. I hope the STR programme will continue, as the cost of living is quite high. It really helps ease our burden,” said the father of three from Ipoh.

Elsewhere, in KELANTAN, housewife Norizan Hasan, 57, said that she would use the cash withdrawn today to purchase additional necessities for her family.

“Unlike the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), which is limited to certain premises and items, the STR cash allows us to freely purchase any necessities.

“Today, I used the STR money to buy basmati rice, so that my children can enjoy nasi lemak made with more premium rice, along with other items,” she said, when met by Bernama at a wholesale market near Pasir Tumboh, today.

Meanwhile, Mohidin Sugarin, 52, a fisherman from Tuaran, SABAH, told Bernama that the aid was timely, given the rising prices of boat fuel and fishing equipment.

“This assistance has a significant impact on us in Sabah. The cost of transporting goods from the peninsula has pushed prices higher here. With this RM650, I can buy new fishing equipment and repair my damaged net,” he said.

For Juriah Muntang, 45, a petty trader at Kota Belud Market, the aid will go towards financing the schooling expenses of her three children.

“It is really difficult for those of us living in the interior. Sometimes, continuous rain cuts off the roads, and I cannot go to the market to do business. This STR assistance helps ease my financial burden, especially in buying books and stationery for my children,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ligundao Akoi, 63, a paddy farmer from Kota Marudu, welcomed the government’s decision to keep applications and appeals open throughout the year, saying it demonstrates the government’s concern for the people.

“Many villagers here do not know how to apply for government assistance. Some do not have smartphones or Internet access. With this new approach, more time is given for applications, allowing more eligible people to receive aid,” Ligundao said.

In SARAWAK, Alvin Ayin, 37, described the STR as a lifeline in meeting his family’s needs, enabling him to provide basic necessities without having to wait for his salary.

“With this money, I can buy kitchen necessities and school supplies for my children,” said the father of two, who works as a general worker at a cold storage company in Kuching.

Yesterday, Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said that the government would begin disbursing the third phase of STR today, involving an allocation of RM2 billion, as part of the MADANI Government’s efforts to ease the cost-of-living burden for low-income households.

-- BERNAMA