PUTRAJAYA, March 26- The Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) will be expanded to 5.4 million recipients starting this April 1st, an increase of almost eightfold compared to the existing 700,000 recipients.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the assistance will be credited monthly to the MyKad of recipients nationwide, including Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territory of Labuan.

"Eligible recipients will receive SARA assistance of up to RM2,100 in total in 2025, compared to RM1,200 in 2024, a 75 percent increase from last year.

"The expansion is part of the increase in the allocation for the Sumbang Tunai Rahmah (STR) and SARA programmes to RM13 billion in 2025, the highest amount in the history of the Government's cash assistance distribution to the people," the statement said.

According to the ministry, the 5.4 million recipients include the 700,000 existing SARA recipients in the eKasih records who have received SARA since January 2025.

"Starting April 1st 2025, they will receive additional SARA assistance of RM50 per month for single senior citizens, and RM100 per month for households.

"Meanwhile, for the 4.7 million existing recipients of the Sumbangan Tanai Rahmah (STR) who are not in the eKasih records, starting April 1st 2025, they will receive new SARA assistance of RM50 per month for single senior citizens, and RM100 per month for households," the statement read.

In the same statement, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said SARA is a targeted assistance approach, where a portion of the country's increased revenue and savings from subsidy spending are redistributed to help those who really need it.

"The distribution of SARA through MyKad is also targeted because the method ensures that the target group receives its benefits in the form of basic goods," said Anwar.