Source : @erwinkhairulahm
The government’s allocation for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) has been raised to RM16 billion under Budget 2027, a move aimed at helping families cover the cost of basic goods and ease their daily expenses, Information Department of Malaysia (JAPEN) Director-General Erwin Khairul Ahmad said.
Erwin shared on X on October 26, 2026 a video highlighting the increased allocation for the two flagship cash and basic-necessities assistance programmes.
https://x.com/erwinkhairulahm/status/2114646347379036580
“Menerusi Belanjawan 2027, peruntukan Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) dan Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) ditingkatkan kepada RM16 bilion,” he wrote, which translates as “Through Budget 2027, the allocation for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) has been increased to RM16 billion.”
“Bantuan ini membantu menampung pembelian barangan asas dan meringankan perbelanjaan harian keluarga,” he added, meaning “This assistance helps cover the purchase of basic goods and lightens families’ daily expenses.”
The increase was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister, when he tabled Budget 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat on October 9, 2026. The RM16 billion allocation for 2027 is up from RM15 billion previously.
Under the budget, the government will extend SARA assistance of up to RM150 a month, or RM1,800 a year, to all STR recipients, benefiting up to nine million Malaysians. According to the Finance Ministry’s Budget 2027 summary, poor and hardcore poor household recipients are eligible for monthly SARA of up to RM250, or RM3,000 a year.
Malaysians aged 18 and above who are not STR recipients will also receive RM100 in SARA Madani assistance on two occasions in 2027. The first disbursement is scheduled ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri and the second in conjunction with the country’s 70th National Day. The initiative is expected to benefit up to 13 million Malaysians, including those in the M40 income group.
In a further change, SARA credits can now be used to buy fresh produce and perishable goods at 216 farmers’ markets and tamu markets run under the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) nationwide. There are currently 15,000 SARA business partners, including 6,800 small grocery shops and cooperatives, and the government plans to widen the participation of small grocery shops to 10,000.
The STR and SARA increase forms part of a wider cost-of-living package. The government expects total provisions for subsidies, assistance and incentives to exceed RM80 billion in 2027, including about RM40 billion for fuel subsidies and nearly RM3.3 billion for assistance channelled through the Social Welfare Department (JKM). The allocation for the Jualan Rahmah Madani and Jualan Agro Madani programmes, which offer essential goods and agrofood products at lower prices, has also been raised to RM750 million.
As the head of the government’s main public information agency, Erwin has been using his social media platforms to explain key Budget 2027 measures to the public. JAPEN’s officers carry information on government initiatives directly to communities through field outreach, community programmes and digital channels, helping eligible Malaysians understand the assistance available to them and how to make use of it.
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