SANDAKAN, MALAYSIA 16 February 2025 – The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) will continue to expand the implementation of the MADANI Rahmah Sales Program (PJRM) as one of its intervention measures, offering prices 10 to 30 percent lower than current market rates for daily essential goods.
The Minister, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, said that for 2025, KPDN aims to conduct at least 2 PJRM series per month in every state constituency (DUN) nationwide.
He stated that the government is committed to implementing various strategies and approaches across multiple ministries and agencies to address the cost-of-living issues faced by the public, including providing cash assistance.
“Among others, under the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the government continues to expand cash assistance through the Rahmah Cash Contribution (STR) and Rahmah Basic Contribution (SARA). A total of RM13 billion has been allocated for the STR and SARA programs in 2025, an increase of RM3 billion compared to 2024. Of this amount, RM8 billion is allocated for STR, while RM5 billion is for the implementation of SARA.
“The assistance through STR and SARA will benefit 5.4 million low-income recipients, particularly those listed in the e-Kasih database, including households, senior citizens without spouses, and single individuals. This includes over 120,000 recipients in Sabah and 110,000 recipients in Sarawak,” said Armizan.
Recipients will receive cash assistance ranging from RM500 to RM2,500 per year, depending on their eligibility category.
For the SARA 2025 assistance, recipients will receive monthly aid ranging from RM50 to RM200, depending on their eligibility category, which will be credited into their MyKAD. This can be used to purchase essential goods at selected supermarkets or grocery stores.
“As of 13 February 2025, SARA recipients can purchase essential goods at 1,700 participating supermarkets and grocery stores nationwide.
“Starting in 2025, the implementation of SARA using MyKAD has also been expanded to Sabah and Sarawak. Through this expansion, SARA assistance will be credited monthly into the recipients’ MyKAD, compared to the previous method of providing cash assistance twice a year. To date, 340 premises in Sabah and 320 premises in Sarawak are involved in the implementation of SARA.
“To enhance access for SARA recipients to obtain daily essentials more easily in nearby areas, KPDN will collaborate with MOF to identify more premises that can be involved in the implementation of SARA,” said Armizan.
He also expressed appreciation to state governments that have implemented specific programs to help the public address cost-of-living issues.
“For example, the implementation of the Sabah People’s Care Touch Program (SUKUR) by the Sabah State Government and the Sarawak Basic Needs Contribution Program (SKAS) by the Sarawak State Government, which provide cash assistance to eligible recipients starting in 2025,” Armizan added.
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