The federal government will begin distributing monthly assistance under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme from 9 January 2026, alongside a one-off RM100 payment to all Malaysian adults scheduled for 9 February 2026, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Finance (MOF).
The ministry said the rollout forms part of expanded cost-of-living relief measures for 2026, following remarks made by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the Prime Minister’s Department monthly assembly on 5 January 2026.
For 2026, the SARA programme has been strengthened through wider coverage and higher funding. Monthly disbursements will begin on 9 January 2026 for five million recipients, comprising 3.7 million households and 1.3 million senior citizens without spouses. A further 3.1 million eligible single individuals will receive their first monthly credits from 16 January 2026.
Eligible recipients will receive between RM50 and RM200 per month, depending on their approved category. In total, 8.1 million Malaysians are expected to benefit from the monthly SARA programme this year, supported by an allocation of RM8 billion. This marks a notable increase from 2025, when 5.4 million recipients were covered under a RM5 billion allocation.
To improve accessibility, the MOF said the number of participating retail outlets under SARA will be expanded significantly. By the end of 2026, up to 10,000 small retail shops nationwide are expected to be part of the programme, compared with more than 3,000 outlets at the end of 2025. The expansion is intended to complement existing supermarkets and improve access for rural and underserved communities.
Separately, the government will distribute a one-off RM100 payment under the SARA for All initiative on 9 February 2026. The payment will be credited to all Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above, regardless of income level, to help households prepare for Ramadan and the Chinese New Year period.
The SARA for All initiative was first introduced on 31 August 2025 in conjunction with National Day. In 2025, about 21.2 million Malaysians, or 96 per cent of eligible adults, utilised the assistance, with total spending nearing RM2.1 billion. Unspent funds amounting to approximately RM150 million will be redirected to support vulnerable groups, including shelter residents, students with disabilities, recipients of medical devices and participants in the Dapur SISWA programme.
In addition, Phase One payments under the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) 2026 programme will commence on 20 January 2026, involving RM1.1 billion in allocations. The phase will benefit 3.7 million households and 1.3 million senior citizens without spouses, with payments ranging from RM100 to RM500 based on eligibility.
The Ministry of Finance said the expanded assistance reflects the government’s continued focus on easing cost-of-living pressures while ensuring targeted support reaches those most in need.
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