Introduction

Many people in Malaysia are currently experiencing the effects of the rising cost of living. The cost of daily necessities like food, housing, transportation, education, and healthcare has increased and is putting a strain on many households. Some families, particularly those in the lower income bracket, are finding it particularly difficult to make ends meet.

Programmes and Initiatives to Lower Living Expenses

Initiatives aimed at alleviating the burden on individuals and families during these challenging times are being implemented by both the government and the public and private sectors. To help people get by, they’re providing financial aid and benefits for essential needs such as healthcare, food, and education. A list of these initiatives can be found in the table below, showing all the ways people can get support. With such a wide range of options available, there is hope and support for everyone who is struggling.

Initiative	What's in it for me?	Who's eligible?
Cash Aid 💲💵
Initiative KPDN's Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (formerly known as Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia)	What's in it for me? Cash aid for people in the B40 group (registration needed) Payment has been made to registered individuals starting 17 January 2023 More information is available here.	Who's eligible? B40 group
Education 🧑‍🎓📚
Initiative National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN)	What's in it for me? Offering Malaysian students study loans for their tertiary education Repayment of the loan will only start 12 months after graduating High-achieving students will receive an exemption from paying back the loan amount More information is available here	Who's eligible? Malaysian citizens aged 45 years and below
Initiative Nursery subsidy (Sarawak)	What's in it for me? Subsidies for B40 parents who send their children to registered private child care centres in Sarawak Monthly fee for the centre is based on the income of the children’s parents. To be rolled out in April More information is available here.	Who's eligible? B40 group
Initiative Google's Gemilang programme	What's in it for me? Offering scholarship for underrepresented learners in Malaysia Aimed at building new skills and preparing for job or job advancement Google Career Certificates include: Digital Marketing & E-Commerce, Data Analytics, UX Design, IT Support, IT Automation, Project Management More information is available here.	Who's eligible? B40 group Rural communities Women
Healthcare, Insurance and Mental Well-being 🧑‍⚕️❤️‍🩹
Initiative PeKa B40	What's in it for me? A government program designed to meet the healthcare needs of low-income groups on a sustainable basis Free health screening at MOH clinics or private clinics Health aid up to RM20,000 for health items Cancer treatment incentive worth RM1,000 More information is available here.	Who's eligible? Recipients of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and their spouses aged 40 and above are automatically eligible for this program.
Initiative mySalam	What's in it for me? One-time RM8,000 cash payout upon diagnosis of one of the 45 Critical Illnesses RM50 daily hospitalisation income replacement up to RM700 per year at any government hospital, military or university hospital More information is available here.	Who's eligible? Individuals between 18 and 65 years old and their spouses Single individuals aged between 40 and 65 earning less than RM24,000 per year OKU individuals aged between 18 and 65 earning less than RM24,000 per year.
Initiative Perkeso's Housewives Social Security Scheme (SKSSR)	What's in it for me? Protection covers domestic accidents or incidents related to household duties Protection also covers illness or invalidity (permanent and severe disability causing low earnings compared to a healthy person, and is incurable or unlikely to be cured) Benefits apply to housewives in the course of performing household duties and affairs. Coverage for illnesses and invalidity at a cost of RM120 per year or RM10 per month More information is available here.	Who's eligible? Malaysian citizen or permanent resident Housewife under the age of 55 or not yet 54 on the first date of contribution Requires advance payment of contributions for 12 months.
Initiative Thrive Well's Jom Sembang Programme	What's in it for me? Provision of mental health support services Focus on individuals facing financial difficulties Services are offered at subsidised rates between RM10 and RM50 More information is available here.	Who's eligible? B40 community At-risk groups or vulnerable family members Individuals facing domestic violence
Initiative Thrive Well's K.A.M.I. (Community Development)	What's in it for me? Focus on addressing mental health conditions caused by socio-economic problems faced by B40 families Emphasis on mothers as a vulnerable group	Who's eligible? B40 groups in low-income housing (Projek Perumahan Rakyat – PPR) areas in Klang Valley
Communications and Transport 🧑‍💻🚃
Initiative Unity Package	What's in it for me? Prepaid mobile data package A monthly prepaid package of RM5 is being offered Package includes 30GB of data for 6 months Fixed broadband package A monthly fixed broadband package of RM69 is also offered Package comes with 30Mbps of unlimited data	Who's eligible? Youths up to 30 years old B40 communities Senior citizens People with disabilities Veterans of uniformed bodies.
Initiative Rapid KL's My50 Unlimited Travel Pass	What's in it for me? RM50 for 30 days of Unlimited Travel on all Rapid Penang and Rapid KL rail & bus services My50 can be bought from Rapid KL Customer Service Office, available at all LRT, MRT, Monorail, and BRT stations. More information is available here.	Who's eligible? All Malaysians including the B40 groups.
Food & Lifestyle 🥚🍗
Initiative Menu Rahmah	What's in it for me? Participating eateries will offer a set meal at a cost of RM5. Soon to be expanded to public higher education institutions and non-halal eateries.	Who's eligible? All Malaysians including the B40 groups.
Initiative KPDN’s Rahmah Sales	What's in it for me? Participating supermarkets will offer essential goods up to 30 per cent cheaper than the market prices Econsave, with 91 branches across the country, is spearheading the initiative until April 22, 2023.	Who's eligible? All Malaysians including the B40 groups.