Recipients can now check their eligibility for the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) through the official portal, effective 21 August 2025. The initiative provides a one-off RM100 credit to eligible Malaysians, redeemable for essential goods using their MyKad from 31 August until 31 December 2025.
What is SARA?
SARA was announced by the Prime Minister on 23 July 2025 as a gesture of appreciation for the rakyat. It provides RM100 to every Malaysian citizen aged 18 and above, credited directly into their MyKad. The credit is strictly for purchasing approved essential goods and cannot be withdrawn as cash. By design, the programme supports households with daily necessities while promoting cashless payments across participating outlets.
Who is Eligible for SARA?
Eligibility is automatic and requires no application. Malaysian citizens aged 18 or above in 2025 with a valid MyKad will qualify. The government determines this based on data from the National Registration Department as of 31 July 2025. This approach ensures that all eligible individuals are covered without additional steps on their part.
What Can Be Purchased with SARA
The RM100 credit covers essential goods across 14 categories, including rice, bread, eggs, cooking oil, flour, biscuits, instant noodles, beverages, canned foods, condiments, medicines, household cleaning products, personal care items, and school supplies. Eligible items are labelled at participating outlets to help recipients identify what can be purchased using their credit.
How to Check Eligibility and Balance
Eligibility can be verified through the SARA portal at sara.gov.my beginning 21 August 2025. Those who require assistance may contact the MyKasih helpline during office hours. Recipients can also track their balance through the portal, the MyKasih app, or by checking their purchase receipts, which will display the amount spent and the remaining credit.
When and How the Credit is Given
The RM100 credit will be credited into the MyKad of eligible recipients on 31 August 2025. It will remain valid until 31 December 2025. The payment is one-off, but households benefit collectively, as each eligible family member receives their own allocation. For instance, a family of four with members aged 18 and above will have RM400 in total to spend under the programme. Existing Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah recipients will continue to receive their scheduled assistance, while the RM100 SARA will be credited as an additional one-off benefit on 31 August.
Where the Credit Can Be Used
The credit can be used nationwide at more than 4,100 participating outlets, including Mydin, Giant, Econsave, The Store, Pacific, Milimewa, 99 Speedmart, and Lotus Stores, as well as a growing list of local supermarkets and mini-markets. Purchases are not limited to one’s area of residence, meaning recipients may shop at any participating outlet across Malaysia. The full and updated list of outlets is available on the SARA portal.
Important Dates and Deadlines
The credit becomes usable from 31 August 2025 and remains valid until 31 December 2025. Any unspent balance will not carry over into 2026 but will instead be redirected into other social protection programmes. It is therefore important for recipients to use the full allocation within the stated period.
What If You Do Not Have a MyKad?
Individuals who meet the age and citizenship requirements but do not yet have a MyKad must apply for one at the National Registration Department. Once a MyKad is issued, the RM100 credit can still be used provided it is activated before 31 December 2025.
More details on Penghargaan SARA are available on the official portal at sara.gov.my. Recipients seeking assistance may call the MyKasih helpline at 03-7720 1800 during office hours. Retailers who are interested in joining the programme as participating outlets may contact Yayasan MyKasih at merchant@mykasih.com for further information.
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