A government cash aid program, Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), is intended to help low-income families cover basic necessities. Unfortunately, not all recipients use the funds responsibly.
A post that recently went viral on social media shows a woman expressing her frustration after discovering her husband had spent the STR money on a new smartphone—solely for playing games—rather than on groceries as she had hoped.
“Honestly, I’m fed up. I thought the STR money would go towards buying groceries, but instead, my husband bought a new phone just to play games. I feel so frustrated,” she wrote. “I eat plain rice with salted fish every day. My kids only drink milk. They’re tired of eating plain rice every day too.”
The woman revealed that she had considered going out to work to help support the family, but her husband refused, saying there was no one to watch the children at home.
“I just want to eat like everyone else, but I hold it in, pray, and stay quiet. If I speak up, it will only lead to arguments,” she added. She also shared that previous attempts to address the issue had ended in conflict, worsening her mental stress.
Netizens largely condemned the husband’s actions, calling them irresponsible and selfish. Many also encouraged the woman to assert herself and explore ways to earn income independently to provide for her children.
Comments included advice such as:
- “If this is how he behaves, sis, you need to speak up.”
- “Get a job, sis. With money, you can buy food for your children.”
- “Borrow from your family to pay for childcare if needed, and go find work. Don’t let your children suffer from lack of nutrition.”
This story highlights the challenges faced by some families in managing government aid effectively, as well as the importance of communication and shared responsibility in households.
