KUALA LUMPUR – Those eligible for the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) will receive their cash aid from January 22 onwards, with an increase from RM600 to RM1,200 per household, and RM600 for singles.
The aid will be given starting next Monday with Kedah, Penang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan and Terengganu.
On January 29, those residing in Perlis, Perak, Pahang, Melaka and Johor will get theirs.
The aid amounting to RM100 or RM50 monthly, from January to December, will be automatically channelled into accounts opened with the recipients’ MyKad. This will enable them to purchase essential items, hygiene products, medicines and school supplies at 515 supermarkets and sundry shops.
Those in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, recipients will get two payment tranches of RM600 or RM300 on February 19 and August 12 at all BSN bank outlets nationwide.
More than 700,000 recipients are expected to benefit from the RM700 allocation, compared to 210,000 recipients last year.
Eligibility for the aid is based on the poor and hardcore poor status in the e-Kasih database, which is used as a reference by government ministries and agencies. – January 19, 2024