Kuala lumpur: The Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme has achieved a 99% utilisation rate among nearly nine million monthly recipients of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), with spending reaching RM3.45 billion so far this year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) reported that under the SARA Untuk Semua initiative, approximately 22 million individuals, or 87% of all recipients, have contributed over RM1.77 billion in local market transactions. The ministry emphasized that recipient spending is a crucial indicator of the effectiveness of the STR and SARA programmes in alleviating cost-of-living pressures for low- and middle-income groups, while also stimulating the local economy through multiplier effects.

The ministry's statement was part of a written response posted on Parliament's website today, addressing a query from Datuk Aminolhuda Hassan (PH-Sri Gading) about the government's key performance indicators for the two programmes. SARA is a cashless aid scheme provided through MyKad credits, which can be redeemed at registered SARA Rakan Niaga outlets for 15 essential categories, including basic food, personal care items, household cleaning supplies, and medicines.

The Ministry of Finance highlighted that this system allows the government to effectively track the programme's progress and ensure aid reaches the intended recipients for its specified purposes. It also noted that allocations for STR and SARA are set to increase to RM15 billion in 2026, up from RM10 billion in 2024, underscoring the government's commitment to a stronger, more targeted social safety net. The ministry pledged to continue monitoring these aid programmes to ensure support reaches those most in need amid rising living costs.