00:00Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Armizan Muhammad Ali said the Madani government has significantly strengthened the federal cash
00:08assistance program since taking office in 2023.
00:12He said allocations have increased to RM15 billion this year, benefiting 9 million recipients through Sumangan Tunai Rahmah, or STR.
00:22The maximum annual assistance will reach RM4,600 in 2026, compared with RM500 when Bankuan Rakyat One Malaysia, or BRIM,
00:32was introduced in 2012.
00:35According to Armizan, every version of the program has brought improvements, but the most significant enhancements have been introduced under
00:44the Madani administration since 2023.
00:46He also rejected claims that the government was not doing enough to address the rising cost of living.
00:54Besides STR, Armizan said the government introduced Sumangan Asas Rahmah, or SARA, in 2023, with assistance credited directly into recipient's
01:04MyCard.
01:05He added that targeted cash assistance is more effective and efficient than blanket subsidies, which are more vulnerable to leakages.
01:14Hanyu Jo, FMT
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