SPENDING under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) assistance scheme reached RM4.8bil in the domestic market last year with 99% of recipients using the cashless aid via their identity cards, says Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.
The Finance Minister II said of the RM5bil allocated for monthly Sara assistance under the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) programme, nearly 5.6 million recipients used their MyKad to purchase essential goods at registered premises.
“Sara is a cashless aid programme credited directly to recipients’ identity cards and can be used at registered partner outlets to buy items across 14 categories of basic necessities.
“This approach allows the government to monitor the implementation of the programme effectively and ensure that targeted groups truly benefit from the assistance for its intended purposes,” he told Parliament during the Minister’s Question Time.
Amir Hamzah said the year-on-year increase in allocations for STR and Sara reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening the social safety net.
“The assistance, particularly Sara, serves as a targeted support mechanism to help the people cope with rising living costs,” he said.
On the balance RM150mil from the one-off 2025 Sara allocation that was not spent or claimed by recipients as of Dec 31, Amir Hamzah said the sum has been channelled to vulnerable groups.
He said for last year’s one-off Sara assistance, 96% of recipients – about 21 million beneficiaries – recorded transactions in the local market amounting to more than RM2.05bil.
“The remaining 4% or RM150mil that was not spent will be redistributed to four groups,” he said.
The funds will be allocated to residents of domestic violence shelters under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, students with disabilities and special needs under the Education Ministry, the purchase of medical devices for poor patients under the Health Ministry and the establishment of student kitchen food banks under the Higher Education Ministry, with a specific allocation of RM15mil.
“This redistribution of funds not only ensures continuity in public financial management but also strengthens the country’s social safety net,” he said.
Amir Hamzah was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa (PH-Sekijang) who asked the Finance Ministry to state the total allocation for the Sara programme channelled through the MyKasih system in 2025, the actual value of transactions generated in the domestic market, the status of unspent aid after the Dec 31 deadline and improvement plans for 2026.
Amir Hamzah said the focus on vulnerable groups such as victims of domestic violence, persons with disabilities and poor patients reflects the government’s commitment to the principles of social justice and humanity.
He added that the move also demonstrates the government’s ability to manage public funds in a flexible and responsive manner in addressing current needs.
“It also reflects a more targeted and inclusive approach by the government in tackling social welfare issues,” he said.
Amir Hamzah also said eligibility checks can be made via the Sara portal at https://sara.gov.my, adding that Sara applications will be processed within two weeks after complete documentation is received.
In a related development, he said the Finance Ministry is considering allowing frozen food as a new category that can be redeemed using Sara.
“We continue to make improvements, including expanding the number of eligible products to 14 categories last year, compared with 10 in 2024.
“As for fresh produce, the government is still conducting further studies to ensure that quality, food safety and consumer assurance aspects are preserved before any decision is finalised.”
