Nearly RM11b in STR, Sara aid disbursed as of September, says Finance Ministry

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 — As of September 2026, the Malaysian Ministry of Finance has disbursed nearly RM11 billion in Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) assistance to eligible recipients, the ministry announced. The government allocated RM15 billion for STR and Sara in 2026, aiming to provide tangible benefits to low-income groups and vulnerable communities.

As of last month, RM3.6 billion had been distributed to STR recipients through three payment phases. The ministry emphasized the importance of various aspects in evaluating the effectiveness of STR and Sara, including recipient coverage, aid utilization, targeting accuracy, and the ability of the aid to meet basic needs. In September 2026, the monthly Sara utilisation rate stood at 99.7 percent, with a transaction value of RM5.2 billion.

Sara Untuk Semua, meanwhile, saw over 20 million citizens making purchases, accounting for 90 percent of total recipients, with local market transaction values reaching nearly RM1.9 billion.