A significant government assistance program in Malaysia has reached a major milestone, with nearly 13 million eligible individuals utilizing the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiative to purchase essential goods. The program has recorded total spending of RM1 billion, providing crucial support for households nationwide. This initiative is designed to help citizens afford basic necessities through direct financial aid.
The program has seen particularly high participation rates in several states, demonstrating its broad accessibility. In Sabah, over 98 percent of the 1.2 million eligible recipients have used their benefits, while in Labuan, 65 percent of nearly 50,000 eligible individuals have redeemed their RM100 allocation. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan highlighted that redemption rates in states like Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah, and Sarawak are among the highest in the country, countering claims that the MyKad redemption process poses difficulties for elderly or rural residents.
Beyond assisting households, the program has also provided an economic boost to local businesses. The number of retail outlets participating in SARA has grown from 7,300 to more than 8,100 nationwide since the beginning of the year. Micro, small, and medium enterprises have reported stronger sales due to increased purchasing power among aid recipients, creating a positive ripple effect in local economies.
The SARA program allows recipients to purchase a wide range of essential items including staple foods like rice, bread, and eggs, cooking necessities such as oil and flour, and other household goods. The initiative’s coverage was significantly expanded on April 1, increasing from 700,000 to 5.4 million recipients. Meanwhile, nearly nine million Malaysians are eligible for the separate Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) program, representing a comprehensive approach to supporting citizens’ basic needs.