Malaysian finance ministry rebuffs claim cash aid scheme can be used for alcohol

Published on September 22, 2025 at 11:04
2 min read
By AFP Malaysia

Malaysia's finance ministry has said claims circulating on social media that a cash aid programme meant for purchasing essential household items can also be used to purchase alcohol are "slander". Alcoholic beverages are not included on the government's official list of eligible items.

"The liberal MADANI government. Alcohol is included in the list of rahmah/mykasih items," reads a Malay-language Facebook post on September 6, 2025, referencing Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Malaysia Madani policy framework.

The post features a video showing beer cans on a grocery store shelf labelled with a sticker reading "Sumbangan Asas Rahmah" and "MyKasih" -- the title of the government aid scheme.

Screen shot of the false post taken on September 18, 2025 with a red X added by AFP

Two-thirds of Malaysia's 34 million population are Muslims. They must observe strict halal dietary standards, which prohibit pork, alcohol and other meat that has not been slaughtered according to Islamic rites (archived link).

Similar posts were shared elsewhere on Facebook and Instagram, misleading users who left comments saying: "That is strange a haram (forbidden) drink is available to purchase through the scheme."

"Since when is this an essential item? Our country is great," wrote another.

The posts surfaced after a 100 ringgit (US$24) cash aid for every Malaysian aged 18 and above announced by Anwar in July was disbursed on August 31 (archived link).

However, the financial aid cannot be used to buy alcoholic beverages.

In a post featuring a screenshot of the false claim on its official Facbook page on September 4, Malaysia's Ministry of Finance said it was "slanderous".

"Beware of false messages that are spreading online. Don't be fooled easily," it said, including a list of items that could be purchased using the one-off cash aid.

Screen shot of the finance ministry's Facebook post taken on September 19, 2025

According to the list on the official aid scheme website, the 14 items eligible for purchase does include non-alcoholic beverages (archived link).

Screenshot of the approved items on the cash aid website

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