Assistance programmes such as the Rahmah Necessities Aid (Sara) and Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) need to be institutionalised in the same way done in other welfare states, and not be used as political capital by the government, former economy minister Rafizi Ramli said.

Commenting on Budget 2026, Rafizi also characterised both programmes as a continuation of the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) welfare scheme, which was introduced during the premiership of Najib Abdul Razak.

He also mentioned whichever government is in power will...