PETALING JAYA: The list of eligible items that can be purchased under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) programme has been expanded, the Finance Ministry announced.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Finance Minister, announced that the government has expanded the product categories under the Sara programme to 14 as of yesterday from 13 previously.
It now includes household cleaning products, such as detergents for laundry, dishes and floors.
“The expansion of the eligible product categories under Sara is a result of feedback received from the majority of recipients.
“The government has acted swiftly to implement them.
“The government will continue to enhance the implementation of the Sara programme from time to time,” he said in a statement.
Anwar said the government will continue to listen to the public to ensure their livelihoods are safeguarded. Other goods previously included under Sara are various basic foods, personal hygiene products, medicines and school supplies.
He also stated that the number of registered retail shops under Sara has surged to more than 3,700 nationwide this year, compared to only 700 in 2024.
Meanwhile, Anwar said that more than 3.9 million recipients used their MyKad to purchase goods under the programme in April.
“The response has been very encouraging, with 72% of the total 5.4 million Sara recipients having started using their MyKad for purchases within the first month of credit disbursement.”
As of April 29, the highest number of recipients who made Sara purchases via MyKad was in Sabah at 84%, followed by Perlis (82%), Kedah (80%), Labuan (79%) and Kelantan (78%).
The maximum Sara credit per recipient this year has risen by 75% from RM1,200 last year to RM2,100 this year.
Eligible recipients can make Sara purchases throughout 2025, and unused monthly credits will be carried forward to the following month until Dec 31 this year.
