The government’s Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) programme is meant to ease the burden of low-income households by helping them cover basic needs.
But for one Malaysian woman, the aid brought more frustration than relief.
Bought new gaming phone
In a social media post that has since gone viral, the woman revealed her disappointment after finding out that her husband had spent the STR money on a new mobile phone — not for work or family use, but purely for gaming.
Seriously, I’m fed up! I thought with the STR money we could buy kitchen essentials. Instead, he went to buy another phone just to play games. Ya Allah, I feel so stupid,” she wrote.
The woman explained that while her husband indulged himself, she and her children were left eating only plain rice with salted fish, while her children survived mostly on milk.
“Every day it’s just plain rice and salted fish. My kids are only drinking milk. Even they’re bored of eating rice all the time,” she lamented.
Denied chance to work
The situation became more heartbreaking when she shared her wish to work and contribute to the household income — only to be shut down by her husband, who insisted that there was no one else to care for their children.
I just want to taste what others eat, but I can only hold it in, pray, and stay silent. If I speak up, it will turn into a fight,” she said.
She added that disagreements often ended with her husband lashing out or manipulating her mentally.
She also revealed that she struggles with bipolar disorder, making the situation even more mentally draining.
