KUALA LUMPUR: The allocation for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) will be increased to RM16bil next year, up from RM15bil this year, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said all STR recipients would receive up to RM150 a month, or RM1,800 annually, under the Sara programme.
"All STR recipients will receive Sara assistance of up to RM150 a month, or RM1,800 a year.
"This will benefit up to nine million STR recipients," he said when tabling Budget 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday (Oct 9).
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the government would allocate more than RM80bil for subsidies, assistance and incentives next year, including an estimated RM40bil for fuel subsidies.
A further RM3.3bil would be channelled towards assistance provided through the Social Welfare Department.
Meanwhile, Malaysians aged 18 and above who are not STR recipients will receive RM100 in Sara Madani assistance on two occasions next year.
The first payment will be made before Hari Raya Aidilfitri, while the second will be distributed ahead of Malaysia's 70th National Day celebration.
"This will benefit up to 13 million Malaysians, including those in the M40 income group," he said.
Anwar also announced that Sara recipients would be allowed to use their assistance to purchase fresh produce and other perishable food items at markets nationwide under the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama).
"The government has agreed to expand the use of Sara to include fresh produce, which can be purchased at 216 farmers' markets and tamu markets nationwide," he said.
