KUALA LUMPUR – Spending under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme surged to RM4.8 billion in 2025, with an overwhelming 99 per cent of recipients utilising the cashless aid via their MyKad.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said that out of the RM5 billion allocation for monthly SARA under the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), nearly 5.6 million recipients used their MyKad to purchase essential goods at registered outlets.
He explained that SARA is a cashless assistance scheme channelled as credit through the national identity card, redeemable at partner stores for 14 categories of basic necessities.
“This approach enables the government to effectively monitor programme implementation and ensure that targeted groups truly benefit from the aid for its intended purpose. The annual increase in STR and SARA allocations reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening the social safety net,” he said during Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
“This assistance, particularly SARA, is a targeted mechanism that helps the people cope with rising living costs.”
Amir Hamzah was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa (PH–Sekijang) on the total allocation spent under SARA via the MyKasih system in 2025 and the actual value of transactions generated in the domestic market. Dr Zaliha also sought clarification on the status of unspent aid as of Dec 31, 2025, and improvement plans for 2026.
On the one-off SARA programme, Amir Hamzah revealed that more than 21 million Malaysians made purchases – representing 96 per cent of all recipients – with transactions exceeding RM2.05 billion in the local market.
Addressing the unspent allocation, he said RM150 million remained unused or unclaimed by Dec 31, 2025, and would be redistributed to other vulnerable groups.
The funds, he noted, will be channelled to residents of protection centres, particularly survivors of domestic violence under the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM), as well as students with disabilities and special needs under the Ministry of Education (KPM).
Additionally, allocations will cover medical devices for poor patients under the Ministry of Health (KKM) and the establishment and strengthening of student food banks, with RM15 million earmarked under the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT).
“Redistributing these funds not only ensures transparency and efficiency in public financial management but also reinforces the nation’s social safety net. The focus on vulnerable groups such as domestic violence survivors, persons with disabilities, and impoverished patients underscores the government’s priority on social justice and humanitarian principles.
“This step also demonstrates the government’s ability to manage public funds flexibly and responsively to current needs. It reflects a more targeted and inclusive approach in addressing social welfare issues,” he said. – February 5, 2026