PUTRAJAYA, 29 August 2025 – The government’s one-off RM100 Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) aid, set to help alleviate cost-of-living pressures, will be disbursed directly onto every adult Malaysian’s MyKad, starting 31 August 2025—coinciding with National Day. Eligible citizens can begin spending their aid at over 4,500 selected merchants nationwide, and the funds will remain valid until 31 December 2025.
Simple, Universal Access with No Registration Needed
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil confirmed the approach is seamless and inclusive:
“On 31 August, the SARA programme will begin—every adult Malaysian will receive RM100 credited to their MyKad.”
He encouraged recipients to verify their aid status via the official SARA portal or MyKasih website, which have been live since 21 August 2025.
Who’s Eligible and How to Check
All Malaysian citizens aged 18 or older—or born in 2007 and earlier—are automatically eligible. No application or registration is required; the system cross-references MyKad data via the National Registration Department.
To verify your eligibility and check your balance, visit the SARA portal or MyKasih website, or use the MyKasih mobile app. Once credited, you’ll see the RM100 value attached to your MyKad.
How to Spend and What You Can Buy
The SARA credit can be spent at more than 4,500 selected outlets and galleries, including popular chains like Mydin, Lotus’s, Giant, HeroMarket, Econsave, and others. Purchasable items span 14 essential categories, including staple foods (rice, eggs, bread), hygiene and cleaning products, medicines, school necessities, and more—totaling over 90,000 items nationwide.
Validity, Balance Roll-Over & Unused Funds
Recipients can spend the RM100 aid from 31 August to 31 December 2025. Any unused balance will roll over until expiry. Funds left unspent will be redirected to vulnerable groups via future government support initiatives.
The Broader Impact
This initiative affects an estimated 22 million Malaysians, with the total allocation for SARA and Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) combined raised to RM15 billion, up from RM10 billion in 2024—a 50% increase. This reflects the government’s commitment to expanding support amid rising living costs.
