KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 — The RM16 billion allocation for the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) financial aid under Budget 2027 has been described as a vital lifeline for recipients managing their monthly expenses.
When tabling Budget 2027 on October 9, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the increased allocation allows nine million STR recipients to receive SARA assistance of up to RM150 a month, or RM1,800 a year.
One recipient, Nor Azura Ismail, 42, said the increased allocation will ease the burden on low-income households managing family expenses, particularly the cost of essential items such as rice, cooking oil and eggs.
“This assistance helps reduce my monthly expenses significantly. Although it does not cover all my expenses, it at least eases the financial burden and helps me manage my family’s needs better.
“I hope this assistance will continue and be improved to ensure that those in need receive ongoing support in coping with the rising cost of living,” she told Bernama recently.
Nor Azura also lauded the government’s move to expand the use of SARA to purchase fresh produce and other fresh goods at 216 farmers’ markets, or tamu, operated by the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) nationwide, saying it will give recipients more shopping options.
Similarly, Muhammad Azham Zailani, 23, said the increased allocation for STR and SARA is particularly helpful for young people starting their careers who also face challenges managing their daily expenses.
Muhammad Azham, who began receiving SARA last year, said he used it to buy essential items such as rice, eggs, cooking oil, and toiletries.
“If the amount of assistance goes up, I might buy more non-perishable items, so I would not need to keep spending money on the same things,” the Menara Merdeka 118 employee said.
He said that before receiving the assistance, he had to prioritise essential purchases and delay less necessary ones to stay within his monthly budget, adding that he hoped more shops accept SARA payments to make the aid more accessible to recipients.
Civil servant Mashitah Zakiah Abdul Rahman, 30, said the SARA assistance had helped her cover daily essentials since she moved into rented accommodation away from her family.
“My budget was quite tight before I received this assistance, so I had to work out my expenses before buying necessities.
“I hope the SARA assistance will be increased from time to time to keep pace with the rising cost of living,” she said.
Eligible recipients receive STR in cash, while SARA is credited to their MyKad and can be used to buy necessities at participating shops and supermarkets. — Bernama