Anwar said while the government had expanded assistance through the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sara programmes, the measures had not fully resolved cost-of-living challenges.
SEREMBAN: The government will increase the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) cash assistance in the near future to help ease the burden of rising living costs, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced.
He acknowledged that existing aid has yet to fully alleviate the financial pressures faced by Malaysians.
Speaking at Pakatan Harapan (PH) Kekal Harapan campaign rally in Paroi on Tuesday night, Anwar said the decision was driven by public feedback, with many Malaysians continuing to struggle with the rising cost of essential goods despite the country’s improving economic performance.
Anwar said while the government had expanded assistance through the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sara programmes, the measures had not fully resolved cost-of-living challenges.
“We have provided STR, Sara and other forms of assistance, but the problem has not been solved.
“God willing, in the near future, we will increase Sara again for the people,” said Anwar, who is also finance minister.
He said the proposal followed discussions over the past month, including with Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Johan Mahmood Merican, and would be considered as part of the upcoming Budget.
Anwar said the move was also due to concerns relayed to him during his weekly visits to roadside eateries before Friday prayers.
“I have been doing this every Friday for the past three years, not because of the election. I go to warung and listen to the people’s feedback.
“When we ask them about prices, they tell us onions are more expensive and vegetables cost more. So we increased the Rahmah cash assistance. But it is still not enough.”
According to Anwar, the feedback underscored that many households remained under financial strain despite the country’s stronger economic performance.
He said the government’s priority was to ensure that economic growth translated into tangible relief for ordinary Malaysians.
He stressed that stronger economic indicators did not mean the administration would ignore the cost-of-living pressures still faced by the rakyat.
The prime minister also defended the government’s economic record, noting that Malaysia continued to enjoy one of the world’s lowest retail fuel prices at RM1.99 per litre while sustaining economic growth.
Anwar attributed the country’s economic progress to the collective efforts of Malaysians from all communities rather than any individual leader.
