Surprise Sara Payout Proves Govt Saving Wisely Giving Back To Malaysians Says Anthony Loke

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Under Budget 2026, RM15 billion from next year’s federal spending plan will be allocated for the second round of Sara distribution. — Picture by Yusof Mat IsaKUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 — Transport Minister Anthony Loke today said he was surprised by the announcement of a second round of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) cash aid programme, revealing that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had not informed Cabinet members beforehand.
Loke said the move reflected the Finance Ministry’s strong fiscal management and commitment to returning savings to the people.
“Twenty two million people are going to get the Sara payment again by Ramadan and Chinese New Year next year again, and this was a surprise announcement by the prime minister as he did not mention this at all during today’s Cabinet meeting,” he told reporters after Anwar tabled Budget 2026 in Parliament.
“This shows that when we manage to save national revenue, we get to return the savings to the people. This shows the success of our fiscal consolidation effort by the Ministry of Finance so I’d like to congratulate them,” he added.
Sara was introduced by Anwar in August. 
Under Budget 2026, RM15 billion from next year’s federal spending plan will be allocated for the second round of Sara distribution.
Anwar said the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sara allocations had increased to RM15 billion for 2026, made possible through savings from targeted subsidy rationalisation, including for diesel and RON95 fuel.
He also announced that all nine million STR recipients would receive Sara assistance of up to RM100 per month, or RM1,200 a year, starting next year.
On allocation for his ministry, Loke said Budget 2026 continued to support key Transport Ministry programmes implemented over the past three years, including RM2.5 billion for the maintenance of federal roads.
The allocation will go towards resurfacing potholes, installing street lights in high-risk areas, and replacing damaged road furniture, Anwar announced in his budget speech. - malaymail

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