Kota Kinabalu (Feb 5) - The government will distribute a one-off RM100 assistance under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme on 9 February 2026, with the funds to be automatically credited to the MyKad of all eligible recipients. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan confirmed this during the Dewan Rakyat’s ministerial question session, adding that RM2.2 billion has been set aside for the initiative.
He said Malaysians can begin checking their eligibility from today through the official SARA portal at sara.gov.my. Once credited, the assistance can be used until 31 December 2026 at participating outlets nationwide by simply using the MyKad, without the need for cash.
According to information on the portal, the RM100 assistance is meant for essential purchases. These include staple food items such as rice, eggs, bread, cooking oil, flour, biscuits, instant noodles, beverages, condiments and canned food, as well as personal care items, household cleaning products, school supplies and medicines approved by the Ministry of Health.
SARA is a cashless assistance scheme introduced to strengthen Malaysia’s social protection framework. It currently consists of two elements: a monthly targeted aid programme for vulnerable groups and a one-off RM100 assistance for all Malaysians aged 18 and above. The upcoming February distribution was first announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the tabling of Budget 2026 in October last year.
Amir Hamzah also shared that in 2025, almost 5.6 million monthly SARA recipients made purchases using their MyKad at registered merchants, recording a utilisation rate of 99%. Total spending reached RM4.8 billion out of the RM5 billion allocated for that year. For the previous one-off SARA assistance distributed in September, more than 21 million Malaysians, representing 96% of recipients, used the aid, generating over RM2.05 billion in domestic transactions.
However, he noted that RM150 million from the last one-off SARA allocation was not claimed. These remaining funds will be redirected to targeted groups, including residents of protection centres, students with disabilities and special needs, as well as towards medical devices for underprivileged patients and the establishment and enhancement of student food banks.
For Sabahans, the one-off RM100 SARA assistance provides some relief amid rising living costs, particularly for essentials that often cost more in East Malaysia due to logistics and supply challenges. The cashless MyKad-based system also benefits residents in rural and semi-urban areas by simplifying access to aid, while supporting local businesses through increased spending at participating merchants across the state.