Malaysia to Raise SARA Cash Aid Rate to Ease Living Costs

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the government will increase the amount payable under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) cash‑aid programme in the near future. The rise, whose exact figure and effective date have not yet been disclosed, aims to further alleviate the cost‑of‑living pressures faced by low‑income households, the elderly and those with health challenges.

The SARA scheme, introduced in July 2023 as part of the MADANI administration’s social‑welfare reforms, supplements other assistance such as the Tunai Rahmah (STR). Recipients have welcomed the prospect of an additional RM 100 per month, saying the support is crucial for purchasing basic food items and other essentials. The announcement was made during a speech in Paroi, Negeri Sembilan, and follows a broader government effort to reinforce the social safety net amid rising living expenses.