The latest data showed that over 8.5 million Rahmah cash aid recipients have been registered, and RM4 billion in cash aid disbursed through the initiative’s Phase 1 and 2 payments, said the Finance Ministry.

The ministry highlighted that two more payment phases are scheduled for August and November this year.

“The government has increased the allocation for the cash aid and the Rahmah Necessities Aid (Sara) to a record high of RM13 billion, up from RM10 billion.

“This increase continues to benefit nine million recipients, equivalent to 60 percent of Malaysia’s adult population,” it said in a written reply posted on the Parliament’s website yesterday.

The ministry was responding to a question from Khoo Poay Tiong (Harapan-Kota Melaka) regarding the total financial allocation disbursed in 2024 for the Sara programme.

Regarding the Sara scheme, the ministry said that as of July 14, more than 4.9 million recipients have used their MyKad to purchase basic goods at participating stores.

It said the purchases reflect an overall usage rate of 92 percent in the fourth month of credit disbursement.

“A total of 5.4 million recipients have been registered, with an annual Sara entitlement amounting to RM5 billion.

“The number of Sara recipients also significantly increased from 700,000 to 5.4 million starting April,” it said.

The ministry added that the government remains committed and is continuously monitoring the situation to ensure that cash assistance programmes are effectively delivered to those in need and facing cost-of-living challenges.

- Bernama

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