KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor announced that a total of 799,782 recipients in Sabah have received RM696.3mil in Rahmah cash aid (STR). He clarified that not all STR applicants were approved due to failure to meet the eligibility requirements, and it was not based on any category or quotas under each state constituency.
Hajiji explained that some reasons for the STR applications’ rejection include applicants having a monthly income exceeding RM5,000 for households, elderly individuals without partners, and single individuals earning more than RM2,500. Another factor contributing to the rejection is the failure to submit relevant documents proving marital status or divorce, as well as failing to fulfill the requirements for single individuals or full-time students.
Jannie Lasimbang (DAP-Kapayan) raised a question regarding the failure of STR assistance in her Kapayan constituency. Hajiji responded by stating that there are a total of 1,345 recipients in the Kapayan area, with an allocation of approximately RM1mil.
The distribution of STR payments in Sabah occurred in four phases. The first phase took place in January 2023, followed by the second phase in April 2023. The third phase, which commenced on June 26, 2023, recorded RM494mil of STR payments, and the remaining balance of RM202mil will be distributed in the fourth phase expected in November 2023. To ensure efficient delivery, the government is implementing a program from August 3 until mid-September 2023, focusing on the relevant districts, especially in rural and interior areas.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
