THE government will begin distributing monthly assistance under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme from 9 January 2026, while a one-off RM100 payment under the SARA for All initiative will be credited to all adult citizens on 9 February 2026, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) announced.
The announcement follows remarks made earlier today by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the Prime Minister’s Department monthly assembly.
The ministry said the 2026 SARA programme includes several enhancements aimed at increasing benefits and improving accessibility for recipients.
As part of these improvements, the number of small retail outlets participating in the SARA programme will be expanded to 10,000 nationwide by the end of 2026, up from more than 3,000 at the end of 2025.
This expansion will complement existing supermarket outlets and is expected to improve access, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Monthly SARA payments for 2026 will begin on 9 January for five million recipients, comprising 3.7 million households and 1.3 million senior citizens without spouses.
Payments for a further 3.1 million single individuals will follow on 16 January 2026. Eligible recipients will receive monthly credits ranging from RM50 to RM200, depending on their approved category.
In total, the monthly SARA programme will benefit 8.1 million recipients in 2026, with an allocation of RM8 billion.
This represents a significant increase from 2025, when the programme covered 5.4 million recipients with a total allocation of RM5 billion.
The ministry said spending under the 2025 programme recorded nearly full utilisation, including strong uptake in rural areas.
Separately, Anwar announced that a one-off RM100 payment under the SARA for All initiative will be disbursed on 9 February 2026 to all Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above.
The assistance is intended to support household preparations for Ramadan and the Chinese New Year celebrations.
The SARA for All initiative was first introduced on 31 August 2025 in conjunction with National Day, as a gesture of appreciation to Malaysians.
Approximately 22 million citizens, representing all Malaysians aged 18 and above, are eligible for the one-off payment.
In 2025, the SARA for All programme recorded usage by 21.2 million recipients, or 96 per cent of those eligible, with spending totalling nearly RM2.1 billion.
The ministry said that unspent funds amounting to about RM150 million will be redistributed to support vulnerable groups.
Identified initiatives include assistance for residents of shelters such as victims of domestic violence, aid for students with disabilities and special needs, the purchase of medical devices for vulnerable groups, and the Dapur SISWA initiative to improve food access for underprivileged students.
The ministry clarified that SARA for All is a one-off cash assistance provided to all adult Malaysians regardless of income, and is distinct from the monthly SARA programme, which provides basic necessities support to recipients of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah and other vulnerable groups starting from 9 January 2026.
In addition, Anwar announced that Phase One payments under the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) 2026 programme will begin on 20 January 2026.
The phase involves an allocation of RM1.1 billion and will benefit 3.7 million households and 1.3 million senior citizens without spouses, with individual payments ranging from RM100 to RM500 based on eligibility.
The Ministry of Finance said the expanded assistance programmes reflect the government’s continued focus on easing cost-of-living pressures while ensuring targeted support reaches those most in need. - January 5, 2025
