PETALING JAYA: The government has increased the allocation for the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) assistance programmes to RM16 billion for 2027, up from RM15 billion this year.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling Budget 2027, said all STR recipients would receive SARA assistance of up to RM150 a month, or RM1,800 annually, benefiting up to nine million people.
Separately, Malaysians aged 18 and above will receive RM100 in SARA assistance on two occasions — ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri and in conjunction with the 70th anniversary of Merdeka.
Anwar said the initiative would benefit up to 13 million Malaysians, including those in the M40 income group.
The government will also expand the use of SARA assistance to cover fresh produce purchases at 216 farmers’ markets and tamu markets operated by the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority nationwide.
Anwar added that the government aims to increase the number of participating small grocery shops to 10,000 by the end of this year.
He said SARA’s participating business network currently comprises 15,000 outlets, including 6,800 small grocery shops and cooperatives.
The expansion is intended to widen access to essential goods and provide more purchasing options for beneficiaries across the country.
-SCREEN GRAB RTM NEWS
