By DayakDaily Team
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9: Malaysians will receive more financial assistance in 2027, with the allocation for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) increasing to RM16 billion, while eligible STR recipients will receive up to RM150 monthly or RM1,800 annually.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysians aged 18 and above who are not STR recipients would also receive SARA MADANI payments of RM100 on two occasions, namely before Hari Raya Aidilfitri and ahead of the 70th National Day celebrations.
The initiative is expected to benefit up to 13 million Malaysians, including those in the middle-income group (M40).
“The government has also agreed to allow SARA to be used to purchase wet and fresh produce at 216 farmers’ markets or tamu under the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) nationwide,” he said when tabling Budget 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said SARA currently had 15,000 participating outlets nationwide, including 6,800 small grocery shops and cooperatives.
He added that the government aimed to increase the number of participating small grocery shops to 10,000 by the end of this year.
Separately, the total allocation for subsidies, assistance and incentives is expected to exceed RM80 billion next year.
This includes RM40 billion in fuel subsidies and nearly RM3.3 billion in assistance through the Social Welfare Department. — DayakDaily
