Amir Hamzah (centre) tours the site of the Rahmah Madani Sales programme, held in conjunction with the STR cash disbursement event. On his right is Mordi. – Bernama photo
KUCHING (June 20): The MyKad-based system for distributing Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) has proven highly effective in Sarawak, with 99 per cent of recipients using the assistance to purchase essential goods, said Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.
The Finance Minister II said the encouraging utilisation rate demonstrates the effectiveness of digital technology in delivering targeted government assistance, making aid more accessible, secure and efficient for recipients, including those in rural areas.
“The MyKad mechanism has proven to be simple, secure and accessible throughout Sarawak, including in remote areas.
“The strong utilisation rate shows that the system is working well and reaching the intended beneficiaries,” he told reporters after a monitoring visit to the 2026 Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) Cash Disbursement Programme in Lundu.
Also present was Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Mordi Bimol, who is Mas Gading MP.
The STR Cash Disbursement Programme is being implemented at 20 locations in Sarawak and 17 locations in Sabah this year. Recipients may also collect their payments at Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) branches nationwide.
Amir Hamzah said 257 recipients in Lundu benefited from the programme, reflecting the Madani government’s commitment to ensuring assistance reaches targeted groups effectively.
He said the federal government has allocated RM15 billion for STR and Sara in 2026, compared with RM10 billion in 2024, to strengthen the social safety net and help Malaysians cope with rising living costs.
More than eight million low- and middle-income recipients nationwide benefit from the targeted assistance programmes.
Eligible recipients receive annual Sara credits ranging from RM600 to RM2,400, depending on their category, while total assistance can reach RM2,500 with the inclusion of the one-off Sara Appreciation payment.
Amir Hamzah also highlighted the rapid expansion of participating Sara merchants, with the number of registered outlets nationwide increasing to 13,491 as of June 16 this year from just 700 in 2024.
“This not only makes it easier for recipients to utilise their assistance, but also creates positive spillover effects for local businesses and traders,” he said.
He added that the enhanced assistance programmes were made possible through savings generated from the government’s subsidy rationalisation measures, allowing greater support to be channelled directly to those most in need.
