The MADANI Government will begin distributing Rahmah Cash Contribution (STR) Phase 1 of 2026 starting January 20, 2026, as announced by the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his New Year’s Message 2026 on January 5.
For this phase, the government has allocated RM1.1 billion which will benefit 3.7 million households and 1.3 million single senior citizens. The amount of assistance received is between RM100 and RM500, depending on the recipient’s eligibility category.
The distribution of STR 2026 is implemented in line with the restructuring of social assistance under the MADANI Government, which combines the roles of STR and Basic Rahmah Contribution (SARA) to ensure that assistance is more targeted and effective in addressing the cost of living.
Under this improvement, more than 8 million people are eligible to receive SARA assistance on a monthly basis, including 400,000 poor and hardcore poor based on eKasih data. This approach makes SARA a continuous basic assistance to support the daily needs of the people.
Meanwhile, STR is provided as additional assistance on a quarterly basis, targeted at households and senior citizens without a partner with an income of RM5,000 and below per month, including the poor and hardcore poor registered with eKasih.
This integrated approach allows for assistance to be channeled in a more orderly and stable manner, in addition to providing additional financial support during periods of high need such as the festive season. Overall, the STR and SARA allocation for 2026 amounts to RM15 billion, remaining the highest in the history of the Federal Government.
In his statement, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that the MADANI Economic Framework focuses on efforts to improve the standard of living of the people so that basic needs can be met comprehensively, thus supporting more sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
To reduce the risk of dropout, new applications and STR appeals are open throughout the year through the official portal bantuntunai.hasil.gov.my. STR frequently asked questions (FAQ) information can also be consulted through the same portal, while the crediting status and SARA FAQ can be checked at sara.gov.my.
STR eligibility is determined based on the set income limit, with each application going through a review and verification process with various government agencies. For new applicants, periodic quarterly reviews also involve ownership of residence, vehicle, business as well as records of working or residing abroad.
Applicants are reminded to ensure that all information submitted is accurate and true. The government reserves the right to withdraw assistance and take legal action if fraud or non-compliance is found.
At the same time, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) reminds recipients to be wary of fake links and attempted fraud. MoF emphasizes that it has never asked for personal information via SMS or WhatsApp, and the public is advised to refer only to the official STR portal for the latest information.
