To ease the rising cost of living, the Malaysian government has announced a RM100 one-off cash aid for each adult Malaysian under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme starting 31 August 2025.
The rollout of both RM100 one-off assistance and the SARA 2025 monthly aid programme underscores the government’s ongoing effort to strengthen Malaysia’s social protection system. By addressing both short-term needs and long-term vulnerabilities, these initiatives aim to provide meaningful support to citizens affected by economic pressures and reaffirm the MADANI government’s commitment to safeguarding household welfare and ensuring no segment of society is left behind.
“This assistance is provided on an individual basis, not per household. A family consisting of a husband, wife and two adult children will receive a total of RM400. There may be some among us who are financially secure and do not need this aid. The government intends to reallocate any unspent funds by year-end towards assistance programmes for vulnerable groups next year,” said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia. He added that the initiative complements the broader Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programmes already in place.
The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) welcomed the government’s latest initiative. Its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Saravanan Thambirajah, said that the RM100 aid as a timely and inclusive move, particularly considering ongoing food price pressures, despite Malaysia’s relatively low overall inflation rate.
What is SARA
Under SARA, allowances are credited directly to the recipients’ MyKad, which functions like a digital wallet. These funds can be used to purchase daily necessities from over 1,200 participating outlets including Mydin, Giant, Lotus’s, Econsave, 99 Speedmart, and others. Approved items cover 13 essential categories, such as rice, cooking oil, eggs, bread, school supplies, hygiene products, canned food, and medication.
In addition to the RM100 one-off aid effective from 31 August 2025, the government is also continuing the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) 2025 programme, a monthly cashless assistance scheme targeted at low-income and poor Malaysians. SARA 2025 offers structured support for households, senior citizens without spouses, and single individuals aged 21 to 59 who are registered under STR 2025 and, in many cases, also listed under the eKasih national poverty database.
Recipients who fall under the Miskin Tegar or Miskin category in eKasih will receive monthly allowances for 12 months (January–December 2025). Those who are STR-qualified but not in eKasih will begin receiving support from April 2025, lasting nine months.
The financial aid ranges from RM50 to RM200 per month, depending on category and eligibility. For example, households listed in eKasih may receive up to RM2,100 annually, senior citizens without spouses up to RM1,650, and single individuals RM600. STR recipients outside of eKasih may receive RM900 or RM450, depending on their household status.
Automatic Eligibility and Access
There is no application process for SARA 2025. Eligibility is automatically determined based on STR approval and eKasih status as of 31 October 2024. Notifications are sent via letter, SMS, or WhatsApp from the MyKasih Foundation, which manages the programme’s implementation. Orientation briefings may be offered at participating retail outlets to guide users.
Beneficiaries can check their status and balance via:
- STR Portal
- MyKasih Portal
- MyKasih mobile app
The MyKasih Foundation helpline (03-7720 1800) and LHDN’s BKK line (1-800-88-2747) are also available for public inquiries.
Cashless & Transparent Disbursement
The use of digital platforms and direct MyKad crediting ensures faster delivery, better transparency, and reduced leakages.
To make a purchase, recipients need to select eligible items, show their MyKad at checkout, enter a secure 6-digit PIN, and complete the transaction. Any unused balance will be carried forward to subsequent months, but all remaining funds will expire on 31 December 2025. If purchases exceed the monthly allowance, recipients will need to top up the excess using their own money.