8.5mn eligible Malaysians to receive Rahmah cash assistance in 2026

RM15bn has been allocated for the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah programmes in 2026, marking the highest level of assistance allocated under the initiatives to date.

A total of 8.5mn Malaysians are expected to benefit from Rahmah cash assistance programmes in 2026 as the government steps up support for households facing cost-of-living pressures.

According to the Ministry of Finance on 19 August 2026, a RM15bn allocation will fund the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programmes, which provide targeted cash assistance and support for basic necessities.

Under STR Phase Three, payments have been made in stages from 15 August 2026. Some 5.3mn recipients are set to receive the payment, involving an allocation of RM1.2bn.

The number of STR recipients has increased by 300,000 compared with the start of the year. With the Phase Three allocation, total STR payments across the first three phases of 2026 will reach RM3.6bn.

The assistance is intended to help low- and middle-income Malaysians manage everyday expenses amid continued cost-of-living concerns.

What is SARA?

The Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), or Rahmah Basic Contribution, is a government initiative aimed at helping poor and extremely poor households purchase essential goods.

SARA is an extension of the STR programme and is implemented in collaboration with Yayasan MyKasih. Assistance is provided through a cashless system using recipients’ MyKad, allowing eligible individuals to buy approved basic necessities.

Eligible recipients include:

• Monthly SARA recipients:
  • STR recipients registered in the eKasih system as poor or extremely poor; and
  • other eligible STR recipients who are not classified as poor or extremely poor.
• SARA Untuk Semua (SARA for All):
  • Malaysians aged 18 and above.

Earlier in the year, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a RM100 SARA assistance paymentto be credited on 9 February 2026 for Malaysians aged 18 and above. The payment was intended to support spending ahead of Ramadan and Chinese New Year preparations.

The government has also indicated plans to expand SARA registrations to include small traders, including grocery shop operators, in an effort to improve access for residents in rural areas who may not yet be covered by the existing system.

STR assistance

STR, or Rahmah Cash Aid, is Malaysia’s financial assistance programme for eligible low- and middle-income groups. It is designed to provide direct support to households, seniors without spouses and qualifying single individuals.

Payment amounts and eligibility are generally determined by factors such as household income, marital status, number of dependants and, for some categories, age and disability status. SARA provides an additional layer of support by enabling eligible recipients to make cashless purchases of essential goods.

Lead image and infographics / Ministry of Finance Malaysia Facebook