Sara aid doubled to RM1,200, up from RM600 last year

PETALING JAYA: The Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) cash aid for poor households will be doubled to RM1,200 this year, up from RM600 previously, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said the RM600 increase is expected to benefit over 700,000 poor and hardcore poor recipients with an allocation of RM700mil compared to last year's total recipients of 210,000 with government spending of RM130mil.

"The economic transformation of Malaysia starts with lifting the people and the expanded Sara programme is a preliminary step to building an inclusive society which is part of the Madani economy," said Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, in a statement on Friday (Jan 19).

"Sara will be credited to recipients in Peninsular Malaysia beginning Jan 22 with Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan receiving theirs from Feb 19.

"In Peninsular Malaysia, recipients will receive a monthly sum of RM100 throughout the year for households and senior citizens without spouses and RM50 for singles.

For Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, payment will be disbursed in two installments of RM600 for households and senior citizens without spouses and RM300 for single individuals.

Payments are scheduled to be made on Feb 19 and Aug 12 through the recipient’s bank account or cash at Bank Simpanan Nasional branches.