00:00Malaysians who frequently cross into Singapore are not automatically disqualified from receiving the Sumbangan Tunai Rahma, said Deputy Finance Minister Liu Cintong.
00:10Liu said the confusion arose after some Johor Bahru residents questioned whether frequent border crossings would affect their eligibility for STR,
00:20which is a targeted cash aid initiative meant only for Malaysian citizens.
00:24To ensure fair distribution and prevent misuse, he said that the Inland Revenue Board cross-checks applicants' details with data from multiple agencies, including the Immigration Department.
00:38In a Facebook post, he said that crossing the border one to seven times a month is still considered normal and acceptable for reasons such as medical treatment, emergencies, short-term assignments, or family matters.
00:51However, eight times or more a month is interpreted as a significant period spent abroad.
00:59Therefore, Liu said the notion that STR is being cancelled for those who frequently travel to Singapore is misleading.
01:07However, he said the government is aware of the concerns raised and is open to reviewing cases through an appeals process.
01:14Panyu Zhou, FMT
01:16Panyu
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