When presenting the 2024 budget, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar announced that he would increase the distribution of SARA assistance funds and increase the number of beneficiaries from 200,000 to 700,000.
The Compassionate Basic Assistance (SARA) is an assistance program launched by the government to help the extremely poor reduce their living burden. As long as you are an extremely poor person on the eKasih list, you are eligible to receive SARA.
This year’s SARA assistance payment is RM100 per month for 6 months. The SARA assistance payment method in 2024 will remain at RM100 per month, but will be extended to 12 months.
The implementation methods of the Compassion Basic Assistance are different in West Malaysia and East Malaysia. In West Malaysia, eligible individuals can receive RM100 per month. However, this RM100 is not cash, but the recipients need to go to designated shopping malls to purchase designated products. When in the mall, the recipients need to show their MyKad to check by the counter staff, and then they can purchase RM100 of daily food without payment every month.
As for East Malaysia, recipients in East Malaysia can receive a one-time cash payment, and the aid will be directly transferred to the recipient’s bank account. The government will distribute SARA based on the aid database.
Participating malls
Mydin, Giant, Econsave, The Store, Pacific, Milimewa, 99 Speedmart, Lotus Stores, etc.
Daily food and supplies available for purchase
White rice, biscuits, eggs, cooking oil, flour, bread, instant noodles, beverages, canned foods and seasonings.
