PUTRAJAYA June 26, 2026 — The Director General of Jabatan Penerangan Malaysia, Erwin Khairul Ahmad, has urged Malaysians to use the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) assistance wisely for family welfare, highlighting its role in lightening living costs under the #MalaysiaMadani initiative.
In an official post and accompanying video message, Erwin emphasised that SARA delivers direct, targeted support to citizens, including those in rural and remote areas. “Government assistance is not merely announced but reaches and eases the lives of the people,” he stated, noting simplified access and strengthened public welfare.
What is SARA?
SARA is a cashless assistance programme that credits funds directly onto eligible recipients’ MyKad. The loaded credit can be used to purchase over 140,000 essential items across 15 categories (such as rice, flour, eggs, dairy, frozen goods, and more) at more than 13,000 participating supermarkets and stores nationwide.
- Monthly SARA: Targeted at verified low-income households from the STR (Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah) and eKasih databases. Amounts range from RM50 to RM200 per month, depending on household category, for the full year 2026.
- SARA Untuk Semua (One-off RM100): Extended to all Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above. The latest round began in February 2026 and remains valid for redemption throughout the year, with unused balances carried forward.
The programme builds on earlier initiatives and forms part of a broader RM15 billion government allocation for cost-of-living relief — the highest in Malaysia’s history for such direct cash assistance.
How to Use It
Recipients simply present their MyKad at participating outlets. Cashiers verify eligibility, scan approved items, and complete payment using the MyKad PIN. The system ensures funds are spent only on necessities, promoting responsible use.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has previously expanded the programme to include more product categories, such as additional dairy and frozen items, to better support families during festive seasons like Ramadan and Chinese New Year.
Jabatan Penerangan continues to remind the public to beware of scams falsely claiming to offer or require applications for SARA aid — no separate application is needed, as eligibility is determined automatically through government databases.
For more details and eligibility checks, visit the official portal: sara.gov.my.
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