KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced that the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) cash aid of RM100 will be credited to all Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above on February 9, benefiting some 22 million people.
“The assistance will be credited on February 9 to help with preparations for Ramadan and Chinese New Year,” said Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, during his 2026 New Year Message at the Prime Minister’s Department monthly assembly in Putrajaya.
He added that SARA payments for hardcore poor recipients will be credited earlier, on January 9, while the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) 2026 Phase 1 payout of up to RM500 will be disbursed on January 20.
Anwar also announced that the Bantuan Awal Persekolahan (BAP) of RM150 per student will be credited on January 13, covering all primary and secondary school students and now extended to Form Six.
“This aid, covering schoolchildren including Form Six, is meant to ease the burden of parents in preparing for the new school term,” he said.
The measures form part of the government’s broader relief package aimed at supporting households ahead of festive seasons and the start of the academic year. – January 5, 2026