SOCIAL protection for Malaysians throughout 2025 has been strengthened through a record increase in cash assistance, reflecting the government’s focus on household resilience and swift crisis response, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced.
Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, said the administration had broadened support for families nationwide and ensured that immediate aid could be deployed whenever disasters strike.
“All of this reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that every household is supported, leaving no one behind or marginalised,” he said in a Facebook post.
An infographic accompanying the post showed that the government has allocated RM13 billion this year for the Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) and Rahmah Basic Necessities Aid (Sara) programmes, marking the highest level of direct cash assistance ever provided.
Under the expanded STR scheme, the maximum amount received by eligible households has risen to RM4,000, representing the largest increase since the programme was introduced.
Assistance has also been extended across multiple categories, including RM600 for non-married individuals, RM800 for senior citizens, Sara payments of RM100 per month, and child assistance ranging from RM200 to RM1,000 per month.
The government reported that nine million people benefited from STR, while 5.4 million recipients received support through the Sara programme.
In addition to regular aid, a one-off Sara payment of RM100 was provided to every Malaysian citizen aged 18 and above via their MyKad. This assistance could be claimed between Aug 31 and Dec 31.
Disaster relief has also been reinforced, with RM1,000 disbursed to each flood-affected family under the Bantuan Wang Ihsan scheme.
The government allocated RM10 million for flood relief in Sabah and RM50 million for Kelantan and Terengganu, alongside the deployment of special logistical assets to support flood operations in Sabah and Sarawak.
As part of its rapid response measures, the government further set aside a special allocation of RM40 million in assistance linked to the Putra Heights tragedy, underscoring its emphasis on immediate support during emergencies. - December 21, 2025
