Government Distributes Nearly RM11 Billion in STR and SARA Assistance by September 2026

The government had channelled nearly RM11 billion in Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) assistance to eligible Malaysians as of September 2026, according to the Finance Ministry.

The aid forms part of the RM15 billion allocation for 2026, aimed at supporting lower-income households and vulnerable groups facing everyday living costs. The ministry provided the figures in a written parliamentary response addressing the effectiveness and distribution of the assistance programmes.

Monthly SARA Aid Records High Usage as Millions Benefit

The ministry said RM3.6 billion had been distributed through three phases of STR payments. Meanwhile, monthly SARA recorded a 99.7% utilisation rate, with transactions totalling RM5.2 billion by September. Nearly nine million Malaysians were eligible for monthly SARA assistance, while STR payments were made quarterly to eligible households and senior citizens.

Under the separate SARA Untuk Semua programme, more than 20 million people had made purchases, representing 90% of eligible recipients. Transactions at local businesses reached almost RM1.9 billion, highlighting the programme’s role in directing assistance towards domestic spending. The ministry said effectiveness was assessed through recipient coverage, spending patterns, targeting accuracy and the ability of aid to meet essential needs.

The figures highlight the scale of the government’s cost-of-living support, although continued assessment of eligibility and spending patterns remains important to ensure assistance reaches those who need it most.

Nearly RM11 billion in STR and SARA assistance had reached eligible Malaysians by September 2026, according to the Finance Ministry.

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