KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 15 — Malaysians have recently been introduced to several federal government initiatives aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures and supporting the country through a period of structural economic transition.
These key programmes, now familiar to many by their acronyms and the use of MyKad for eligibility, are designed to directly benefit Malaysians.
One of the most popular is the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme under Sumbang Tunai Rahmah (STR). Eligible recipients receive direct cash assistance from the government to help cover living costs, targeting low-income (B40), middle-income (M40), hardcore poor, senior citizens, and singles. Payments are channelled through the Inland Revenue Board (LHDM) and build on previous assistance programmes with improvements, distributed in phases each year.
Part of the Malaysia Madani agenda, SARA aims to assist those truly in need, with STR payments reaching up to RM4,600 per household in 2025, higher than previous programmes.
Among the well-known initiatives under STR is the one-off RM100 cash aid for every adult Malaysian. The SARA programme, which ends this month, saw significant expansion when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that all Malaysians aged 18 and above would receive the one-off assistance.
Announced in conjunction with this year’s Merdeka Day celebrations, the aid became available from August 31 and is valid only until December 31. It affects more than 22 million Malaysians nationwide.
Eligible Malaysians over 18 can use their MyKad to shop for 14 categories of essential goods at more than 7,300 participating stores and supermarkets nationwide, including Mydin, Lotus, Econsave, Speedmart, and selected sundry shops across all districts.
Budi95 petrol subsidy
The Budi Madani RON95 (Budi95) initiative has also grown in popularity, reaching 16 million Malaysians since September. The scheme offers eligible Malaysians RON95 petrol at RM1.99 per litre, up to a 300-litre monthly quota, with payments via MyKad at petrol pumps using cash, card, or e-wallet.
The subsidy ensures local beneficiaries receive the support while reducing leakages such as smuggling. It is open to all Malaysians with a valid MyKad and driving licence, including L and P licences.
The government is reviewing the scheme to ensure fairness, particularly for e-hailing drivers, and may introduce tiered pricing or adjust quotas based on ongoing monitoring and feedback.
