KUALA LUMPUR: The MyKasih system has been improved by increasing its bandwidth to ease the use of the RM100 Sumbagan Asas Rahmah Contribution (Sara) assistance, which will start on Monday (Feb 9).
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said this is to avoid system problems like the one that occurred last year.
“I had spoken to the Treasury secretary-general, Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican, and we have learnt what needs to be done to avoid system issues from last year on the first day of Sara’s rollout.
"He has informed that MyKasih, which manages the database, has increased the amount of bandwidth (broadband access) to ensure that there are no problems with the implementation of Sara for everyone starting tomorrow," he told the press after launching the Internet Safety Day (HKI) 2026 celebration at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, here on Sunday (Feb 8).
Earlier in his speech, Fahmi reminded the public to always be vigilant, especially as the aid-giving season and major festivals approach, as it is considered the 'fishing' season by scammers.
He said this as the Sara aid as well as the Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations this year are close together.
"Parents will definitely spend money to prepare for daily expenses, prepare for Hari Raya, fill 'ang pow' and make purchases.
"Be careful because at this time scammers will be rampant, they consider this the 'fishing' season. If you receive an SMS containing a hyperlink, do not click," he said.
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.
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
