QuickCheck: Is the govt offering an additional RM800 in cash aid?

A MESSAGE has gone viral on social media claiming that an additional Bantuan Tunai Rakyat cash aid payment of RM800 called the "Bantuan Tambahan STR 2023 MySARA RM800" will be available soon.

The viral post also asks those interested to click on a link provided to get more details such as the date of the payment.

Is there any truth to this?

VERDICT:

FALSE

In a statement posted on its official Facebook account, the Finance Ministry said that the information on this additional aid is false.

"Be careful and do not be fooled by this. Refer to press releases on the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah at https://www.mof.gov.my/portal/ms/berita/siaran-media. The frequently-asked questions and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah eligibility information is available at the STR's official portal at https://bantuantunai.hasil.gov.my," it said.

The ministry then said that the delivery process for this aid is available at https://www.mykasih.com.my.

"Head to the portals or social media channels of the Finance Ministry for the latest valid information. If you are unsure, don't share," it said in the post.

According to the Ministry's official portal at https://www.mof.gov.my/portal/ms/berita/siaran-media/penerima-sumbangan-tunai-rahmah-str-berstatus-miskin-tegar-bakal-terima-sumbangan-asas-rahmah-sara-mulai-17-julai-2023, Sumbangan Asas Rahmah aid was released in six automatic electronic cashless payments of RM100 at a rate of one a month from July 17 for those in Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Selangor, Federal Territories, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan and Terengganu.

The same payments began from July 31 for eligible recipients in Perlis, Perak, Pahang, Melaka dan Johor, while those in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan received a one-off payment of RM600 on Aug 7 that would be in cash or credited to their bank account at Bank Simpanan Nasional branches.