Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today announced a one-off RM100 cash aid for every Malaysian aged 18 and above, to be disbursed via MyKad under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme. He stated that this aid is part of the National Day celebrations on August 31 and aims to address the rising cost of living while acting as a token of appreciation for the citizens. This initiative will benefit 22 million Malaysians, supported by an allocation of RM2 billion.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, with this announcement, the combined allocation for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and SARA increases from RM13 billion to RM15 billion this year. This marks the first time cash aid is extended to all adult Malaysians. The assistance can be used from August 31 to December 31, 2025, for purchasing essentials at more than 4,100 outlets nationwide, which include major supermarkets such as Mydin, Lotus's, Econsave, 99Speedmart, and participating grocers.

The distribution will be on an individual basis, not by household, meaning a household with multiple adults can receive more aid. For instance, a family comprising a husband, wife, and two adult children will receive a total of RM400. Anwar made this announcement during a special broadcast aired live on national broadcasters like RTM and Bernama, as well as on social media platforms like Facebook Live.

Anwar emphasized the need to address the cost of living challenges wisely and urgently. He noted that while overall inflation in June 2025 decreased to 1.1 percent, the lowest in 52 months, the prices of food and beverages continue to rise above the national average. He also mentioned that those who are financially secure and do not need this aid are encouraged to allow the government to reallocate any unspent funds by the end of the year towards assistance programs for vulnerable groups next year.