STR BRINGS JOY TO AIDILFITRI PREPARATIONS

IPOH, March 27 (Bernama) -- The disbursement of the Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) since Monday has not only provided relief to recipients but also heightened their joy as they prepare for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration next week.

Housewife Nurul Fadzilawati Kamaruddin, 35, from Gopeng, said the RM500 STR payment came just in time to buy new clothes and shoes for her three children, aged between eight and 13.

“My husband and I set aside about RM1,000 to get Baju Melayu, Baju Kurung and shoes for the kids,” she told Bernama when met at a mall here today.

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Her husband, Nor Hazman Ibrahim, 42, a mechanic, chipped in an additional RM500 to ensure their family could celebrate the festive season comfortably.

For Nor Hanis Hashim, 34, from Kampar, STR meant her four children, aged between one month and 16 years, could look forward to new Raya outfits.

“This assistance is a huge relief. At the very least, my children get a new set of Baju Melayu or Baju Kurung. We try to stretch the money by hunting for promotions,” she said.

The government began disbursing the second phase of STR payments on Monday, with an allocation of RM1.7 billion, up from RM1.5 billion last year.

According to the Finance Ministry, nearly nine million recipients will receive up to RM650 in assistance based on their respective categories.

-- BERNAMA