Sumbangan Asas Rahmah
SARA: what you need to know
Rules as of 10 October 2026. Every statement links to its source.
What you need to know now
- Unused 2026 SARA credit must be used by 31 December 2026. (SARA 2026 FAQ (questions 16–17 on expiry and carry-over))
- Monthly credits started on 9 January 2026 for households and seniors, and on 16 January for singles. (MOF media statement — SARA monthly credit from 9 January 2026)
- Unused monthly credit carries over within the year, until the year-end expiry. (SARA 2026 FAQ (questions 16–17 on expiry and carry-over))
- The Budget 2027 speech announced that every STR recipient would receive SARA of up to RM150 a month, and that Malaysians aged 18 and over who do not receive STR would receive SARA MADANI of RM100 twice; both are announcements, not yet gazetted, and not payments already scheduled. (Budget 2027 speech (Ucapan Belanjawan, Malay original), page 11)
Am I eligible?
- SARA goes to STR recipients. You do not apply separately: the credit is put on your MyKad. (MOF press citation (Bernama): monthly SARA aid credited)
- In 2026, monthly amounts depend on your STR category: RM100 for households, RM50 for seniors without a spouse and RM50 for singles. People listed as poor or hardcore poor in eKasih get RM200, RM150 and RM100. (MOF press citation (Bernama): monthly SARA aid credited)
- SARA untuk Semua: a one-off RM100 credit for every Malaysian citizen aged 18 and above, credited from 9 February 2026 and usable until 31 December 2026. (MOF media statement — SARA untuk Semua from 9 February 2026)
When is it paid?
Payment dates in one list (STR, SARA, BUDI95 and BAP)
| What | Date | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly credits begin (households, seniors) | 9 January 2026 | Done | MOF media statement — SARA monthly credit from 9 January 2026 |
| Monthly credits begin (singles) | 16 January 2026 | Done | MOF media statement — SARA monthly credit from 9 January 2026 |
| SARA untuk Semua: RM100 for every adult citizen | 9 February 2026 | Done | MOF media statement — SARA untuk Semua from 9 February 2026 |
| All 2026 credit expires | 31 December 2026 | Announced | SARA 2026 FAQ (questions 16–17 on expiry and carry-over) |
How to check or appeal
- Go to the official SARA site. Type the address yourself rather than following a link from a message. sara.gov.my ↗
- Check your balance and the list of approved goods there, or ask at a participating store when you tap your MyKad.
- Spend it at participating stores by tapping your MyKad. No app or registration is needed.
- Never share your IC number, bank details or OTP with anyone offering to 'activate' or 'top up' SARA. Real SARA credit needs no activation.
What changed
- 9 October 2026: The Budget 2027 speech says every STR recipient would receive SARA of up to RM150 a month, or up to RM1,800 a year, which it says would benefit up to 9 million STR recipients. It also says Malaysians aged 18 and over who do not receive STR would receive SARA MADANI of RM100 twice, before Hari Raya Aidilfitri and ahead of the 70th Merdeka anniversary, which it says would benefit up to 13 million Malaysians, including the M40 group. These are Budget announcements, not yet gazetted, and not payments already scheduled. (Budget 2027 speech (Ucapan Belanjawan, Malay original), page 11)
- 9 January 2026: 2026 monthly credits began. (MOF media statement — SARA monthly credit from 9 January 2026)
Questions
What happens to SARA credit I don't use?
Monthly credit carries over within 2026, but anything unused on 31 December 2026 expires. (SARA 2026 FAQ (questions 16–17 on expiry and carry-over))
Can I withdraw SARA as cash?
No. SARA is credit on your MyKad for approved basic goods at participating stores, not cash. (SARA 2026 FAQ (page 2, question 4: cashless, credited to the MyKad))
What did Budget 2027 announce for SARA?
The Budget 2027 speech says every STR recipient would receive SARA of up to RM150 a month, or up to RM1,800 a year. It also says Malaysians aged 18 and over who do not receive STR would receive SARA MADANI of RM100 twice, before Hari Raya Aidilfitri and ahead of the 70th Merdeka anniversary. These are Budget announcements, not yet gazetted, and not payments already scheduled. This page lists no 2027 payment dates yet. (Budget 2027 speech (Ucapan Belanjawan, Malay original), page 11)
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