Petaling Jaya (Dec 5) - A total of 22 million Malaysians aged 18 and above will receive RM100 under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme, with the amount to be credited directly into their MyKads starting Feb 9.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the assistance is intended to help Malaysians cope with rising living costs ahead of the festive period, including preparations for Ramadan and Chinese New Year. He announced this during his New Year address at the Prime Minister’s Department monthly assembly.
In addition, Anwar said the hardcore poor will continue to receive monthly SARA assistance of up to RM200, which will be credited in stages via MyKad beginning as early as Jan 8. Separately, first-phase payments of up to RM500 under Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah will be distributed from Jan 20.
The RM100 SARA credit was first announced on July 23 last year and is valid for use until Dec 31. The aid can be spent on essential items at more than 7,300 registered retail outlets nationwide.
For Sabahans, especially those in rural and interior areas where household costs and travel distances are higher, the MyKad-based assistance provides direct support for purchasing daily necessities, helping ease financial pressure during key festive periods without the need for cash withdrawals or long journeys to collect aid.