10 STR Payment Programmes Planned For Remote Orang Asli Communities

CAMERON HIGHLANDS,  July 11 (Bernama) - The Ministry of Finance (MOF) plans to hold 10 Rahmah Cash Assistance (STR) payment programmes for Orang Asli communities in remote areas across Peninsular Malaysia to ensure recipients without bank accounts continue to receive government aid.

Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Johan Mahmood Merican said the programme in Cameron Highlands today was the sixth to be held this year under the initiative, which was introduced in 2024 to expand access to financial assistance and government services in remote communities.

He said the Cameron Highlands programme was the first to be organised in the district and formed part of the 10 locations selected across Peninsular Malaysia.

"This programme is specifically organised for STR recipients who do not have bank accounts so they can continue receiving government assistance in cash, in line with the government's aspiration of ensuring no one is left behind," he said.

Johan told reporters this after checking on the programme at Dewan Datuk Mohd Nor @ Bah Ayob in Kampung Orang Asli Menson here today, where 113 Orang Asli recipients received STR payments totalling RM60,000.

Also present were Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker, who is also Cameron Highlands MP Datuk Dr Ramli Mohd Nor, and Cameron Highlands district officer Kamarul Iskandar Nordin.

Besides cash payments, the programme brought together various government agencies to provide services at a single location, including MyKad and birth certificate registration by the National Registration Department (JPN), Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) assistance, the opening of Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) accounts and MySalam protection scheme.

Johan said similar STR payment programmes for Orang Asli communities in Sabah and Sarawak had been completed last month, covering 37 locations, before the initiative was expanded to remote areas in Peninsular Malaysia.

He added that the government was strengthening access to financial services in rural areas by deploying four additional mobile banking units this year, while encouraging recipients to open bank accounts to facilitate future aid disbursements.

He said a premises in an Orang Asli settlement in Cameron Highlands had also been registered as a MyKasih partner, bringing the number of SARA partner outlets in the district to nearly 50, including two in Orang Asli settlements.

Meanwhile, Ramli said the programme had been well received by the Orang Asli community as it not only facilitated the distribution of cash assistance but also enabled them to access multiple government services, including obtaining identity documents, at one location.

He said the initiative, involving MOF, BSN, the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and JPN, demonstrated the government's efforts to ensure assistance and essential services reached communities in remote areas.

"Many Orang Asli are unable to access assistance through the banking system. By bringing together the relevant agencies, this programme ensures the aid reaches them more efficiently.

"It also enables JPN to identify Orang Asli who do not have essential documents such as birth certificates and identity cards, so the necessary applications can be processed as quickly as possible," he said.