The RM150 million from the one-off Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) aid that remained unclaimed as of December 31, 2025, will be redirected to targeted groups, including victims of domestic violence, students with disabilities, and underprivileged patients.
Finance Ministry II Minister, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, said the unclaimed amount represents about 4% of the total Sara aid, as more than 21 million Malaysians have redeemed the programme, accounting for 96% of recipients with total transactions exceeding RM2.05 billion.
“The RM150 million unspent from the 2025 Sara aid will now be redistributed to priority groups. This includes residents of shelters, especially victims of domestic violence under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry; students with disabilities and special needs under the Education Ministry; and the purchase of medical devices for underprivileged patients under the Health Ministry,” he said during Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat.
Amir Hamzah also highlighted a RM15 million allocation for the establishment and strengthening of 10 student community kitchens (Dapursiswa) under the Higher Education Ministry. He added that redistributing these funds ensures transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness in public financial management, while reinforcing Malaysia’s social safety net.
“The focus on vulnerable groups reflects the government’s commitment to social justice and humanitarian principles. It also demonstrates our ability to manage public funds flexibly, based on current needs, and with a more targeted and inclusive approach to social welfare,” he said.
The minister further announced that the second round of the one-off RM100 Sara aid will begin next week, with an allocation of RM2.2 billion for all Malaysians aged 18 and above. No application is required, as the aid will be automatically credited to recipients’ MyKad and is valid until December 31, 2026. Eligibility can be checked via sara.gov.my.
Amir Hamzah also explained improvements to the Sara programme, including a relaxed requirement for merchant partners, who now need to stock at least seven out of 14 designated product categories, compared with the previous mandate of all 14. The government is also considering adding frozen foods, such as frozen chicken, and continues to study fresh produce to ensure food safety, quality, and consumer protection.
As of February 3, the number of Sara merchant partners has risen to 10,700 nationwide, up from 700 in 2024, with 3,000 outlets operated by small traders, reflecting the programme’s growing reach and accessibility.
