Kuala Lumpur:The allocation for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) will rise to RM16 billion in 2027, up from RM15 billion. All STR recipients will be eligible for SARA of up to RM150 a month or RM1,800 annually.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that Malaysians aged 18 and above who are not receiving STR will also receive SARA MADANI payments of RM100 on two occasions, one before Aidilfitri and another in conjunction with the 70th National Day celebrations.
The two forms of assistance are expected to benefit up to nine million STR recipients and 13 million Malaysians, including those in the middle-income group (M40). Furthermore, the government has agreed to allow SARA to be used for purchasing wet and fresh produce at 216 farmers' markets nationwide, under the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA).
Anwar highlighted that SARA's network of participating businesses currently includes 15,000 outlets, such as 6,800 small grocery shops and cooperatives, with plans to increase participation from more small grocery shops next year.
He also mentioned that the total allocations for subsidies, assistance, and incentives next year will surpass RM80 billion, including fuel subsidies projected to remain high at RM40 billion and nearly RM3.3 billion in assistance from the Social Welfare Department.
Furthermore, the allocation for Jualan RAHMAH MADANI and Jualan Agro MADANI will rise to RM750 million from RM630 million, aiming to organize 35,000 sales events. Of these, 30,000 Jualan RAHMAH events will cover all state constituencies, focusing on rural areas, low-cost housing, and urban People's Housing Programme (PPR) schemes.
These sales will take place through conventional grocery shops and vending machines, with Jualan RAHMAH MADANI Borong organized to support small traders. An additional 5,000 Jualan Agro MADANI events will offer fresh agricultural produce at prices up to 30 percent lower.
Anwar also announced that the distribution of essential goods to rural and remote areas will be expanded with an allocation of RM250 million, covering six new locations, including Kampung Terian in Penampang, Sabah, and Kampung Dato' Godam in Pusa, Sarawak.