.png)
THE government has confirmed that RM150 million in unspent or unclaimed funds from the 2025 one‑off Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) payments will be redistributed to vulnerable groups, following the programme’s cut‑off on 31 December 2025.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan told the Dewan Rakyat during Question Time today that 96 per cent of last year’s one‑off SARA recipients, comprising more than 21 million Malaysians, had already utilised their allocations, generating over RM2.05 billion in local market activity.
“The remaining four per cent, or RM150 million, that was not spent will be channelled to four groups: residents of domestic violence shelters under the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development; persons with disabilities and students with special needs under the Ministry of Education; the purchase of medical devices for indigent patients through the Ministry of Health; and the establishment of student kitchen meal banks, with a dedicated allocation of RM15 million under the Ministry of Higher Education,” he explained.
He emphasised that the reallocation of the unspent funds “not only ensures continued prudent public financial management but also strengthens the nation’s social safety net.”
“It also reflects the Government’s more targeted and inclusive approach in addressing issues of social welfare,” Amir Hamzah added, responding to a query from Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha binti Mustafa (PH‑Sekijang) regarding the total disbursement through the MyKasih system, the value of local market transactions, unspent balances as of 31 December 2025, and planned improvements for 2026.
He said eligibility for the redistributed SARA funds can be verified immediately via the portal [https://SARA.gov.my](https://SARA.gov.my), with applications processed within two weeks once documentation is complete.
On future enhancements, the Minister revealed that the Ministry of Finance is considering adding frozen foods as a new category eligible under the SARA programme.
“We are continuously making improvements through the addition of categories, increasing from 10 in 2024 to 14 in 2025,” he said, adding that fresh produce remains under review to ensure quality, safety, and consumer assurance before final approval.
Amir also highlighted ongoing efforts to expand the SARA merchant network.
As of 3 February 2026, there were 10,771 registered SARA partner outlets nationwide, up from just 700 in 2024, including over 3,000 single‑unit or independent grocery stores.
The government aims to further increase the number of small grocery partners to 10,000 by the end of 2026, reducing the distance to the nearest outlet from 10 kilometres to 7 kilometres.
He described the steps as part of a broader strategy to ensure SARA remains responsive, inclusive, and effectively targeted at Malaysians facing rising living costs, demonstrating the government’s commitment to social justice and public welfare. - February 5, 2026