Baling: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the one-off RM100 Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) appreciation aid for individuals aged 18 and above is not the sole solution but among the government's measures to address the people's cost-of-living pressures.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Prime Minister stated that the aid, disbursed from August 31, serves as a supplement to the MySARA and Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) programmes implemented to ease the burden of living expenses. Anwar noted that while some critics question the impact of RM100, they overlook that SARA is an addition to the existing MySARA and STR programs, benefitting nine million individuals.

He elaborated on discussions with foreign leaders, particularly from ASEAN, who were surprised by Malaysia's ability to allocate RM15 billion to assist nine million people out of a population of 34 million. Anwar shared this in a recorded video speech at the closing ceremony of the Kedah edition of the MADANI Rakyat Programme at the Baling District Council Sports Complex.

Anwar also mentioned that the SARA initiative is admired by foreign leaders, despite their acknowledgment of the challenges in replicating such a program. The Ministry of Finance reported that the seventh day of the SARA Appreciation initiative proceeded smoothly, with total sales reaching RM100 million involving 1.7 million recipients as of 10:30 pm, achieving a 99.9 per cent success rate in transactions.

The SARA Appreciation Aid, announced in conjunction with National Day 2025, is set to benefit 22 million people and involves an additional RM2 billion. This brings the total allocation for STR and SARA this year to RM15 billion, marking the highest in the nation's cash assistance history.