KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 15 -- Malaysians have recently been introduced to several federal government initiatives aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures and supporting the country through a period of structural economic transition.

These key programmes, now familiar to many by their acronyms and the use of MyKad for eligibility, are designed to directly benefit Malaysians.

One of the most popular is the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme under Sumbang Tunai Rahmah (STR). Eligible recipients receive direct cash assistance from the government to help cover living costs, targeting low-income (B40), middle-income (M40), hardcore poor, senior citizens, and singles. Payments are channelled through the Inland Revenue Board (LHDM) and build on ...