Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar) said more frequent disbursements could follow the model used in India, where cash assistance is channelled on a shorter cycle.

“This will definitely help people manage their expenses better,” he said when debating the Supply (Budget) Bill 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He did not elaborate on how the government could manage more frequent disbursements, which currently require coordination among several agencies.

The STR aid is distributed four times a year, with the latest round channelled in August and the final phase scheduled for November.

Shahar said many low- and middle-income households were still struggling with the rising cost of living despite relatively low inflation, and that short-term cash handouts alone were insufficient.

“Cash aid is not a lasting fix. The government must take the next step, which is to raise minimum wages progressively, retrain workers, and build community-based economies so that people can stand on their own,” he said.

He also called for a fairer distribution of the nation’s income, saying workers should receive a larger share of corporate profits to strengthen household spending and boost the economy.

“When more of the GDP goes to wages and workers’ pay, it will raise household disposable income, stimulate domestic spending, and strengthen economic resilience,” he said.