{
  "id": 976224,
  "title": "STR to 5.3mil recipients as Phase 3 of cash aid starts today",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/str-to-5-3mil-recipients-as-phase-3-of-cash-aid-starts-today",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-15T06:33:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/15/str-to-5-3mil-recipients-as-phase-3-of-cash-aid-starts-today"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The finance ministry announced that the third phase of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) cash aid program will be disbursed to 5.3 million recipients starting today, with an allocation of RM1.2 billion. The number of recipients has increased by 300,000 since the beginning of the year, with 3.9 million low- and middle-income households and 1.4 million single senior citizens receiving assistance. The payments range from RM150 to RM600, depending on income and family size, while single senior citizens will receive RM150. Overall, the total disbursement for the first three phases of 2026 has reached RM3.6 billion, with recipients potentially receiving up to RM3,300 in combined assistance by August 2026. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized the government's commitment to providing regular support to those in need as the cost of living poses challenges.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "MOF: RM1.2b STR Phase Three payments begin for 5.3 million recipients",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/mof-rm1-2b-str-phase-three-payments-begin-for-5-3-million-recipients",
        "published": "2026-08-15T04:45:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "STR to 5.3mil recipients as Phase 3 of cash aid starts today",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/str-to-5-3mil-recipients-as-phase-3-of-cash-aid-starts-today-980752",
        "published": "2026-08-15T06:33:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Phase 3 STR cash aid payout begins today for 5.3 million recipients",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/phase-3-str-cash-aid-payout-begins-today-for-5-3-million-recipients",
        "published": "2026-08-15T06:53:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Finance Ministry to roll out RM1.2b in STR cash aid for 5.3 million recipients from today",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/finance-ministry-to-roll-out-rm1-2b-in-str-cash-aid-for-5-3-million",
        "published": "2026-08-15T07:18:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}