Sarawak: Unmarried individuals are among those who can breathe a sigh of relief as they have not been overlooked in the government’s various financial aid initiatives.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, one such programme is the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), which began its Phase 2 distribution last March 24. Many of the recipients in Sarawak expressed their gratitude to the government, noting that the four-phase annual assistance has given them some financial breathing room to better manage their living expenses.

One recipient, 23-year-old civil servant Abdul Hakim Well, shared that he used the STR aid to settle utility bills and purchase daily necessities, while still being able to set aside a small amount for savings. “This assistance has been very helpful in covering my daily expenses, such as electricity bills and basic essentials. I also managed to save a little for future needs,” he told Bernama.

The STR Phase Two payment involves an allocation of RM1.7 billion compared to RM1.5 billion last year. A total of 8.5 million recipients, comprising 60 per cent of adults, received assistance of up to RM650 through STR Phase Two.

For Roystein Emmor, 43, a private sector employee, the STR assistance has given him the space to better organise his finances, including paying off debts and planning monthly expenses. “This assistance not only helps to buy necessities such as food and pay electricity bills but also allows me to organise my finances. Even if it is RM10, it can still be saved for future use,” he said.

Likewise, Desiree David, 28, also a private-sector employee, used the financial assistance to ease her monthly financial burden, including supporting her father who is no longer working. “I can also use the extra money to ‘top up’ spending money to buy daily necessities and fill up my car to commute to work,” she said.