In a recent announcement, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that the B40 Cash Aid has been renamed to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR).

The government has recommended the notion as the foundation for a variety of programs that would be undertaken to aid the poor in dealing with the cost of living difficulties.

8.7 Million B40s Start Receiving STR Assistance From January 17

In the meantime, Anwar also announced about the STR Phase 1 payment to 8.7 million B40 group worth RM1.67 billion will be credited into the registered recipient's account gradually from today (January 17).

According to the previous plan, the aid should have been distributed in March 2023 but it's been brought forward to ease the burden of B40's living costs in the present day. 

The following is information on the distribution of aid by category:

- Households (4.0 million recipients): Amount of assistance given: RM300

- Single Elderly (1.2 million beneficiaries): Amount of assistance given: RM100

- Singles (3.5 million recipients): Amount of assistance given: RM100

STR recipients in the rural areas including Sabah and Sarawak, with or without a bank account, will still receive the payment today.

Those without a bank account can withdraw cash from Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) branches.

Payment status checks can be done from today and any questions related to STR can also be found on STR's official portal.

The financial aid has been renamed several more times such as Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia (2022), Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (2021), Bantuan Khas Covid19 (2021), and Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (2021).