Eligibility checks open for SARA national assistance credit

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21 Aug 2025 • 11:03 AM MYT
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Eligibility checks open for SARA national assistance credit

THE Ministry of Finance has announced that starting today, all Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above may check their eligibility for the newly expanded Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) Appreciation Credit via the official portal at [https://sara.gov.my](https://sara.gov.my).

The RM100 credit will be automatically credited to eligible individuals’ MyKad accounts from 31 August 2025, in conjunction with National Day, and will remain valid for use until 31 December 2025. No registration or application is required.

“This is a sincere effort by the MADANI Government — for the first time — to extend cash assistance to all adult citizens, redistributing the benefits of public financial reform more equitably to the wider population,” said Prime Minister and Finance Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

All Malaysians born in 2007 or earlier — including current SARA recipients — are eligible for the RM100 credit. The assistance can be used to purchase over 100,000 essential items across 14 categories, including staples such as rice and eggs, household hygiene products, medicines, school supplies and personal care items, at more than 7,300 registered retail outlets nationwide.

According to the Ministry, households will benefit collectively. For example, a family of four adults — a couple and two children aged 18 or above — will receive a total of RM400 in SARA credits.

Any unused balance at the end of the year will be redirected towards programmes benefiting vulnerable groups under the MADANI Government.

Recipients are also encouraged to use the credit for charitable purposes, such as donating basic goods to NGOs, places of worship, or those in need.

To ensure the public is well informed, the portal also provides a list of participating stores by city, an FAQ section, and a purchasing guide.

The total allocation under the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and SARA programmes has been raised from RM13 billion to RM15 billion for 2025 — a 50 per cent increase compared to RM10 billion in 2024.

The Government has warned the public not to fall prey to scams or fraudulent schemes, stressing that eligibility is determined automatically through National Registration Department (JPN) records and that the credit will be delivered directly to recipients’ MyKad accounts. - August 21, 2025