The government plans to increase the number of sundry shops participating in the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme to 10,000 nationwide, up from the current 6,500.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said more than 13,500 shops across the country are now registered under SARA, and the expansion will focus on bringing smaller neighbourhood retailers into the network. “It is not limited to major towns but extends to villages and interior areas, as our goal is to ease access for eligible recipients,” he told reporters.
More Than 150,000 Product Items Now Available
More than 150,000 product items are now listed under the programme across participating outlets.
Amir Hamzah said SARA has had a visible effect on sales at participating retailers. “When products are included under SARA, sales improve,” he said, adding that the programme is designed to support local entrepreneurs alongside recipients.
For small shop owners, one of the main barriers to joining the programme has been the cost of setting up point-of-sale (POS) systems. The government is looking into ways to reduce setup costs, including providing more affordable POS terminals.
Fresh Produce Still Under Review
Fresh produce is not yet available under SARA. Amir Hamzah said the government is considering adding fresh items, but quality control remains the main concern.
“Fresh items are not included yet because we must ensure the quality of goods provided to recipients,” he said.
For now, the programme covers approved items across 15 product categories, including personal hygiene products, medicines, school supplies, and basic food items. If fresh produce is eventually added, the credit would cover more of your regular grocery list, particularly if you live in an area where fresh markets are the main food source.
What the Expansion Means If You Receive SARA
If you live in a smaller town, a kampung, or a rural area, getting to a participating outlet has been one of the common complaints about the programme. A network of 10,000 sundry shops would cut the distance many recipients need to travel to use their credit.
The 2026 round of SARA provides a one-off RM100 to all Malaysians aged 18 and above, credited from 9 February 2026. Monthly SARA recipients registered through the eKasih database receive between RM100 and RM200 per month for 12 months. You can check your eligibility and track your balance through the SARA portal or the MyKasih app.
Unused SARA credit carries over from month to month, so you do not lose your allocation if you do not spend it straight away.
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