Over a total of RM50 million has been spent by 700,000 recipients of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) in the poor and hardcore poor categories on the purchase of basic necessities as of 5 February 2025, with the purchases made at over 1,600 participating supermarkets and retail stores.
“Under the SARA initiative, beneficiaries can use their MyKad to purchase selected basic necessities at 1,600 registered retail stores – from only 700 in 2024 – and the number continues to grow.
“The government remains committed and constantly monitors the situation to ensure that direct cash assistance continues to reach vulnerable groups facing the challenges of the cost of living,” Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said, pointing out that the SARA assistance began being channeled via MyKad on a monthly basis starting 15 January 2025 to recipients in the eKasih record.
He mentioned that the distribution was also expanded to include Sabah and Sarawak and the assistance rate has been increased to RM2,100 compared to the previous RM1,200.
“The SARA assistance of RM100 per month will be credited to the recipient’s MyKad for the months of January to March 2025. Starting April this year, this assistance rate will be increased up to Rm200 per month. This uniform mechanism is an improvement from last year, compared to the distribution of cash assistance twice a year to SARA recipients residing in Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territory of Labuan,” he said.
According to Amir Hamzah, 82% of household recipients in Sabah and 78% in Sarawak had started spending at more than 560 registered shops, including those in remote areas.
In 2024, the highest usage rates of the SARA assistance were recorded in Kelantan and Perlis with a claim rate of 97% as well as Terengganu and Kedah at 95% each at over 700 registered shops.
