MPs urge government to exclude high-income earners from SARA, BUDI95

THE government has been urged to exclude high-income earners from the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) scheme and review eligibility for the BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) petrol subsidy to ensure public funds reach those who need them most.

Besut MP Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh said SARA assistance, which is extended to Malaysians aged 18 and above, should be redirected towards food aid, school assistance or support for vulnerable middle-income (M40) households.

“Do all recipients in this large group really need the assistance? I suggest that the funds be channelled directly to food banks, school assistance or support funds for the vulnerable M40 group,” he said during the debate on the 2027 Supply Bill in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He noted that the scheme covered all Malaysians aged 18 and above, including MPs.

Temerloh MP Salamiah Mohd Nor supported the proposal, suggesting that SARA be discontinued or restricted for high-income earners, with the allocation redirected to more deserving recipients.

“I agree with what the Besut MP said about SARA. I propose that SARA be abolished or that high-income earners be excluded, and that the funds mentioned be distributed to those who deserve them,” she said.

Meanwhile, Hulu Terengganu MP Datuk Rosol Wahid raised concerns over the one per cent transaction fee imposed through MyKasih for administering SARA.

He suggested that the fee be channelled to a government-owned company instead, asking whether this could help reduce the cost of implementing the assistance scheme.

On BUDI95, Che Mohamad Zulkifly also called for a review of petrol subsidy eligibility, pointing to figures he said showed that only about 100,000 users, or less than one per cent, used their full monthly allocation.

“Although the government increased the BUDI95 eligibility limit to 300 litres a month, records show that only around 100,000 users, or less than one per cent of those eligible, use the full allocation,” he said.

He proposed that the scheme be reviewed to better support vulnerable M40 households. - October 20, 2026