The Finance Ministry (MoF) is studying whether to allow fresh food purchases under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme. Responding to questions in Dewan Negara, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the government needs to first ensure product quality, food safety and consumer protection. 

Frozen Food Added As An Interim Measure

Amir Hamzah said the government expanded SARA’s eligible items in February 2026 to include frozen food as an interim measure while fresh food remains under review. 

More than 140,000 products are currently eligible for purchase under SARA, including rice, cooking oil, eggs, infant formula, household cleaning items, and frozen chicken and seafood.

SARA Allocation Rises To RM15 Billion

Amir Hamzah said allocations for the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and SARA programmes have risen to RM15 billion in 2026, up from RM10 billion in 2024. 

SARA, introduced in 2023, currently benefits nearly nine million recipients. Monthly utilisation rates have consistently stayed above 99%. 

More Small Grocery Shops Coming Onboard

SARA is currently accepted at more than 14,000 grocery stores and markets nationwide, including over 6,000 small grocery shops and cooperatives. 

Amir Hamzah said the government aims to raise the number of participating small retailers to 10,000 by the end of the year, while also reducing the maximum distance to a participating outlet from 10km to 7km. 

These changes may take some time to roll out. In the meantime, eligible Malaysians with unused SARA credit can continue spending it on currently available items rather than waiting for more outlets or updates. The RM100 credit remains valid until 31 December 2026 and will expire after that date.

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Iman Aminuddin

Iman writes about personal finance with curiosity. She is interested in the stories behind money, the hesitation around big decisions, and the small habits that shape financial futures. Off the clock, she is either dissecting a film or climbing her way up the leaderboard in her favourite games.

About THE AUTHOR

Iman Aminuddin

Iman Aminuddin

Iman writes about personal finance with curiosity. She is interested in the stories behind money, the hesitation around big decisions, and the small habits that shape financial futures. Off the clock, she is either dissecting a film or climbing her way up the leaderboard in her favourite games.

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