Kuala lumpur: The government’s decision to continue implementing the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) for a second time, as announced under Budget 2026, underscores its commitment to prioritizing the people’s wellbeing. Negaraku Brigade president Khairul Nizam Mohd Sopery stated that the initiative not only alleviates the people’s cost-of-living burden but also demonstrates the government’s awareness of the current economic challenges faced by individuals from various backgrounds.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Khairul Nizam emphasized that the SARA aid is a representation of the government’s concern for the populace, providing immediate relief to millions, particularly the lower and middle-income groups facing rising prices and living costs. He noted that when the public is safeguarded, the nation becomes stronger and more unified. He described the second round of SARA as proof of the Rahmah spirit’s continued presence in the country’s administration, highlighting that the initiative is not just a cash aid p
rogram but a form of social investment capable of stimulating the domestic economy through increased purchasing power.
Meanwhile, IKON Malaysia president Mia Nurhamizah Abdul Ghapar praised the government’s decision to offer free education for vulnerable groups, particularly the B40, through the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN). She explained that such government policies should be fully utilized as they not only enhance access to higher education but also allow students to concentrate on their studies without the burden of debt. Mia added that this initiative would produce more highly educated young talents who will contribute to the nation’s progress in the future.
In Budget 2026, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the government would provide free PTPTN education to 5,800 students from poor families pursuing studies at public institutions of higher learning (IPTA) starting next year. Anwar mentioned that the initiative involves an annual allocation of RM120 million f
or families with a household income below RM2,705.
MySDG Foundation chairman Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar described Budget 2026 as a socially progressive and equity-driven budget that strengthens Malaysia’s commitment to inclusive growth and social justice. He stated that the government’s decisive shift from broad-based subsidies to targeted and needs-driven assistance, such as Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and SARA Untuk Semua, ensures that support directly reaches the most vulnerable groups while also encouraging self-reliance through microcredit financing, social enterprise development, and community empowerment.
He further elaborated that the budget directs national resources towards uplifting the country’s most underserved and vulnerable groups, including the B40, Orang Asli, women, children, persons with disabilities (PwDs), the elderly, and rural communities in Sabah and Sarawak. Key allocations in the budget include RM412 million for Orang Asli development in education, infrastructure, and land rights; R
M12.9 billion for critical infrastructure and utilities in Sabah and Sarawak; RM500 million to boost women’s entrepreneurship and economic participation; and RM1.4 billion to strengthen PwD welfare, mobility, and accessibility.
Abdul Wahid highlighted that the budget also enhances child nutrition, educational support, and social protection schemes, like i-Saraan and i-Suri for informal workers and homemakers, reflecting an increased focus on ageing, caregiving, and long-term care needs. He concluded that collectively, these measures reflect the MADANI values of compassion, equity, and dignity, advancing Malaysia’s aspirations of a nation that leaves no one behind.