PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA January 25, 2026 – Deputy Minister of Finance Liew Chin Tong has clarified that Malaysian citizens who travel in and out of Singapore eight times or more per month are interpreted as working abroad, resulting in them failing the eligibility criteria for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) under Reason Code 31.
Liew explained that STR is a targeted cash assistance initiative under the “kita jaga kita” (we take care of each other) spirit, exclusively for Malaysian citizens who reside in Malaysia.
“To ensure that only those who truly qualify receive STR assistance, more comprehensive data integration checks are conducted involving various agencies, including Immigration,” he said in a statement posted on his official Facebook page today.
He added that STR applications marked as “not passed” for this group are not cancelled but are classified as Not Passed because the applicant or their spouse is deemed to be residing, working, or studying abroad.
Liew outlined the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN)’s approach to determining eligibility:
– 1 to 7 times per month : Considered normal and reasonable activities, such as medical treatment, emergencies, short-term assignments, or family matters.
– 8 times and above per month : Interpreted as spending significant time abroad, based on the assumption of weekly commuting.
However, the Madani government is attentive to public feedback and remains open to considering appeals.
“For example, there are indeed Malaysian citizens who need to frequently travel in and out of Singapore because they work as drivers for local logistics companies,” Liew said.
He encouraged affected citizens to submit appeals, which will be accepted throughout 2026 via LHDN’s official channels.
The clarification comes in response to questions from acquaintances in Johor Bahru regarding STR eligibility for those who regularly commute to Singapore.
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