Malaysians who frequently commute to Singapore remain eligible for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) cash assistance, provided they meet established criteria including residency in Malaysia.
Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong said the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) uses travel frequency to differentiate between temporary trips and living or working abroad.
He stated that Malaysians who enter and leave Singapore eight times or more per month are considered to be working abroad, assuming the individual commutes weekly.
Travel Frequency Guidelines
Liew explained that to differentiate between temporary trips and living or working abroad, the IRB, which manages STR distribution, applies a specific approach.
“One to seven times per month is considered normal and reasonable, for activities such as medical treatment, emergencies, short-term assignments, or family matters,” he said.
“Eight or more times per month is interpreted as spending a significant period abroad,” he added in a Facebook post.
He clarified that frequent travellers are not permanently barred from the aid. However, their applications may be marked as “Not Approved” under Reason Code 31, which applies when an applicant or their spouse is found to be residing, working, or studying abroad.
Ensuring Fair Distribution
Liew said STR is a targeted cash assistance programme by the Malaysian government for its citizens, reflecting a communal spirit of care.
“The government is responsible for all Malaysians, including taxpayers, to ensure fairness for everyone. To ensure that only those who truly qualify receive STR assistance, checks are conducted using comprehensive data integration across various agencies, including immigration,” he said.
“This approach ensures that the assistance is distributed fairly, accurately, and reaches those who are genuinely in need.”
Open Appeal Process
Liew said Malaysians affected by the ruling are encouraged to submit appeals, which will remain open throughout the year.
“The government is always receptive to feedback and open to appeal considerations. For instance, some Malaysians need to frequently enter and leave Singapore because they work as drivers for local logistics companies,” he said.
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