The Ministry of Finance will begin distributing Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) on 9 January 2026. The enhanced monthly aid aims to help more Malaysians manage their daily essentials.
Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, announced the expansion of the SARA monthly programme. The move aims to increase its impact and benefit more Malaysians.
SARA Monthly
Under SARA monthly 2026, 5 million recipients will receive monthly aid:
- 3.7 million households
- 1.3 million senior citizens without spouses.
- Payments for senior citizens will start on 16 January 2026.
- Eligible recipients will receive RM50 to RM200 in monthly credits, depending on their category.
The government will expand the number of small retailers participating in the SARA programme to improve access. By the end of 2026, the total will reach 10,000 shops, up from just over 3,000 in 2025. These move complements existing supermarket networks and makes it easier for recipients to spend their aid near home.
SARA monthly will benefit 8.1 million people in 2026, supported by an allocation of RM8 billion, an increase from RM5 billion in 2025. The ministry reported that recipients fully utilised the 2025 aid, including those in rural areas.
One-Off RM100 SARA
In addition, the government will distribute SARA for all Malaysian citizens, a one-off RM100 assistance, on 9 February 2026. All Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above qualify, regardless of income. The initiative aims to help households prepare for Ramadan and Chinese New Year and is expected to benefit around 22 million Malaysians.
“The unspent balance of one-off SARA will be rechanneled to safeguard the welfare of vulnerable groups, including support for domestic violence survivors, students with disabilities, medical needs, and the Dapur SISWA initiatives”, said the Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The government also confirmed that STR Phase 1 for 2026 will begin on 20 January 2026, involving RM1.1 billion in aid for 3.7 million households and 1.3 million senior citizens, with payments ranging from RM100 to RM500 based on eligibility.
The Ministry of Finance issued the statement from Putrajaya on 5 January 2026, reaffirming the government’s commitment to easing the cost of living through targeted and inclusive assistance.
Source: Kementerian Kewangan