Malaysia clarifies cash aid rules for frequent commuters to Singapore

Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong said to ensure fair distribution of funds under the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah scheme aimed at easing cost of living pressures for select Malaysian citizens living in the country, beneficiaries’ residency status would be ascertained using data from the immigration department.

According to Liew, Malaysians who enter and exit Singapore eight times or more each month would be treated as working overseas, assuming the individual commutes weekly.

“One to seven times per month is considered normal and reasonable for activities, such as medical treatment, emergencies, short-term assignments or family matters,” he said in a social media post on Sunday.

“Eight times or more per month is interpreted as spending a significant period abroad.”

The minister’s response came following concerns from some frequent cross-border commuters who worried that they might become ineligible for the anti-inflation initiative.

Studies estimate that about 500,000 Malaysians work in neighbouring Singapore, many commuting daily from Johor.