Photo — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
Backend server capacity, number of retailers to be increased
PETALING JAYA: The government is upgrading servers and easing congestion at retailers to ensure the people get a better experience when claiming the second round of the one-off Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara), says the Treasury.
Treasury secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican said the number of participating retailers has also increased and there is no need to be unduly worried over potential congestion.
“To improve the rakyat’s experience in the second round, the server capacity has been enhanced to address the issues faced before.
“The number of participating retailers has also been increased, now with more than 8,000 shops – of which there are more than 2,000 small kedai runcit (grocery stores),” Johan said when contacted.
In the Budget 2026 announcement, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that a second one-off RM100 Sara aid under the MyKasih system will be given to all Malaysian adults starting February 2026.
ALSO READ: Calls for longer redemption period and more items
The first roll-out on Aug 31 of the one-off Sara initiative saw the backend system experiencing significant congestion and technical glitches due to an overwhelming number of transactions.
The first Sara is valid from Aug 31 to Dec 31.
Although the system has since stabilised, the looming second round raises concerns as to whether the system can handle the surge again.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the government is continuously listening to the people in ensuring that aid rendered will be conveniently accessible.
ALSO READ: Aid scheme framework doesn’t reflect B40 realities, say groups
However, he added that all decisions will be made by the Finance Ministry upon consultation with the related ministries.
“Through the monitoring committee of the National Cost of Living Action Council (Naccol), we gather views from various parties to improve any initiative related to cost-of-living issues.
“From time to time, we convey feedback to the Finance Ministry as the implementing agency for the Sara Assistance Programme.
“So far, the response has been very positive. The early feedback included calls to expand the product categories and requests from other retail premises to participate in the Sara implementation.
“The Finance Ministry is taking action on these,” said Armizan, whose ministry serves as the secretariat for Naccol.
Armizan, however, did not reveal the possible expanded product categories for the second round of Sara.
The Sara aid under the MyKasih system requires a user to produce their MyKad at the counter to verify their eligibility.
The government announced the RM100 one-off aid for selected purchases for 22 million eligible Malaysians in August, with the initial rush to redeem the gift causing system glitches and delays when the assistance came online on Aug 31.
Other than some rejected transactions, the long queues also led to some shoppers using their own money to complete the purchases at the counter.
Despite the glitches, data showed that more than 1.84 million recipients redeemed goods worth RM118.9mil between Aug 31 and Sept 1.
