SARA Sumbangan Asas Rahmah: Amount, MyKad & Merchant List

Updated 8 September 2026 against official sources (see the notes marked in the article).

Walaoeh! Did you know your MyKad (IC) currently holds “hidden money”? You eagerly checked your bank account for STR 2026. The cash is in. You are happy. But wait. Have you checked your MyKad?

Welcome to 2026. The Malaysian government has expanded the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) program, a critical aid initiative specifically for the B40 Poor & Hardcore Poor categories. Unlike STR which is cash in the bank, Sumbangan Asas Rahmah 2026 is Cashless Credit injected directly into your Identity Card (MyKad).

“Eh, how to use money inside IC?” “Can I withdraw cash at ATM?” (Spoiler: No!) “Can I use it to buy cigarettes or top-up Touch ‘n Go?” (Also No!) “Where can I find the MyKasih Merchant List 2026?”

In this Ultimate 2500-word Bantuan Guide, we break down everything about Sumbangan Asas Rahmah 2026. We explain the RM 100 Monthly Payment Schedule, reveal the complete list of supermarkets (Yes, 99 Speedmart is included!), and provide a troubleshooting guide for when your IC chip fails at the counter.

Two schemesWhat you getAm I on it

Many Malaysians are confused. “Is SARA the same as STR?” No. Here is the definitive comparison of SARA vs STR Malaysia for 2026.

(Still haven’t updated your profile? Check our PADU Guide as SARA eligibility data is cross-checked with PADU).

Sumbangan Asas Rahmah 2026 is a cashless social safety net designed to ensure that the poorest families in Malaysia do not go hungry. The government works with the MyKasih Foundation, a non-profit organization that manages the cashless payment technology using MyKad.

Household (Isi Rumah – Miskin & Miskin Tegar):

• Total: RM 1,200 per year.
• Payout: RM 100 per month for 12 months.

Single (Bujang – Miskin & Miskin Tegar):

• Total: RM 600 per year.
• Payout: RM 50 per month for 12 months.

• Peninsular Malaysia: Payments start from January 2026.
• Sabah, Sarawak & Labuan: Implementation differs slightly. In some rural areas without MyKasih terminals, the aid might be credited in two lump sums (RM 600 + RM 600) directly into BSN Bank Accounts or given as cash vouchers. Check your local District Office for details.

“Why my neighbor got RM 100 but I didn’t?” Eligibility for Sumbangan Asas Rahmah 2026 is strictly based on the Poverty Line Income (PGK).

• You must be a Malaysian Citizen.
• You must be a registered recipient of STR 2026.
• SARA eligibility is decided automatically from your approved STR 2026 data, and it now covers every approved STR 2026 recipient in the Isi Rumah, Bujang and Warga Emas Tiada Pasangan categories. Being listed as “Miskin” (Poor) or “Miskin Tegar” (Hardcore Poor) in the eKasih database (managed by ICU JPM) is no longer a condition – it earns you an extra Tambahan SARA on top.
• Hardcore Poor Income: Usually Household Income < RM 1,198 (Subject to PGK 2026 revision).
• Poor Income: Household Income < RM 2,208.

1. Visit the Portal: Go to the official MySTR Official Portal.
2. Login: Enter your MyKad Number and Password.
3. Check Status: Look for the “Semakan Status” tab.
4. If you see “Layak SARA”, congratulations.
5. You will see the amount (e.g., RM 1,200) allocated to you.
6. MyKasih Portal: Alternatively, you can verify your MyKad status at the MyKasih SARA Check Portal.

You cannot use SARA credit at a random roadside stall or a luxury boutique. It is restricted to essential items at registered partners. The MyKasih Merchant List 2026 has expanded to over 600 outlets nationwide.

• 99 Speedmart: (The most popular choice. Almost every taman has one).
• Lotus’s (formerly Tesco): Great for bulk buying rice and oil.
• Mydin: The wholesale king. Very B40-friendly pricing.
• Econsave: “Bandingkan Harga Kami”.
• Giant / TMC.
• Aeon Big.
• TF Value-Mart.
• The Store / Pacific.

1. KK Super Mart: (Selected outlets).
2. 7-Eleven: (Selected outlets, mainly for basic food items like bread).

Go to the official MyKasih Store Locator and key in your State and Postcode.

Unlike STR which is quarterly, the SARA Payment Schedule 2026 is monthly. This is to encourage consistent spending on food rather than one-off spending.

• January 2026: RM 100 credited (1st Jan).
• February 2026: RM 100 credited (1st Feb).
• March 2026: RM 100 credited.
• … and so on until December 2026.

Walaoeh Important Note on Expiry: Is there an expiry date? Yes. Unlike cash in the bank, SARA credit can expire if unused for a long period (usually if inactive for 6+ months, the account might be frozen). However, for 2026, the government encourages you to spend it within the month. Tip: You can accumulate the balance. Example: Don’t spend in Jan, keep for Feb. Then spend RM 200 in Feb. This is allowed.

This is where many “Uncles and Aunties” get confused. “I put my IC, but nothing happen!” Follow this Walaoeh SOP to avoid embarrassment at the counter.

You can pick any brand, but the category must be approved.

✅ Approved Items:

• Rice (Beras)
• Cooking Oil (Minyak Masak)
• Wheat Flour (Tepung Gandum)
• Bread (Roti) & Biscuits (Biskut)
• Eggs (Telur)
• Sugar & Salt (Gula & Garam)
• Seasonings (Kicap, Sos Cili, Sos Tiram)
• Canned Food (Sardin, Tuna)
• Beverages (Coffee/Tea powder – Not Red Bull/Monster)
• Fresh Vegetables & Fruits (at participating supermarkets)
• Baby Diapers (Lampin Bayi) – New addition in some states, check instore.

❌ Banned Items:

• Cigarettes / Vape / Alcohol.
• Top-up Cards / Sim Cards.
• Toiletries (Shampoo, Soap, Detergent) – Generally not allowed under basic food aid.
• Plastic bags.

1.Inform: Tell the cashier: “Saya nak bayar guna MyKasih / SARA” or “Guna IC”.

2.Scan: The cashier will scan your items. The POS system automatically checks which items are eligible.

3.Insert IC: Insert your MyKad into the payment terminal.

4.Verification: The cashier might ask for your thumbprint OR your 6-digit PIN.

• Default PIN: Usually the last 6 digits of your IC number.
• Example: If IC is 800101-14-5678, try 145678.
• Alternate PIN: Sometimes it is default 888888 or 123456. Ask the cashier to help.

5.Receipt: The receipt will print your Remaining Balance. Keep this!

It happens. You queue for 20 minutes, and the machine goes “Beep Beep – Error”. Here are the common issues with Sumbangan Asas Rahmah 2026 transactions.

Cause: Your MyKad chip is dirty, scratched, or damaged.

Solution:

• Immediate: Rub the chip gently with a soft eraser (pemadam) to clean the oxidation. Try again.
• Long term: Go to JPN (Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara) and replace your MyKad. It costs RM 10, but it ensures you can access your RM 1,200 aid.

• Cause: You bought RM 150 worth of goods, but only have RM 100 credit.
• Solution: You can perform a Split Payment. Use RM 100 from SARA, and pay the remaining RM 50 with cash/eWallet. Most MyKasih terminals support this.

• Cause: You tried to buy a generic “Pinggan” (Plate) or “Panadol”.
• Solution: Remove the non-food items from the SARA bill and pay for them separately.

• Cause: You entered the wrong PIN 3 times.
• Solution: Call the MyKasih Hotline at 03-7720 1800 (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm) to reset your PIN.

The implementation of Sumbangan Asas Rahmah 2026 in East Malaysia faces infrastructure challenges (internet connectivity).

1. Urban Areas (Kota Kinabalu, Kuching): Uses MyKad cashless system same as Peninsular.
2. Rural Areas (Pedalaman):
   • The government often conducts Cash Handouts or Manual Vouchers via the District Office (Pejabat Daerah).
   • BSN Bank Mobile counters (Bank Bergerak) may also facilitate the disbursement.
   • Action: If you live in a rural area and cannot use MyKad, check with your Tuai Rumah or Ketua Kampung for the disbursement schedule.

Sumbangan Asas Rahmah 2026 is one of the most practical aids for the B40. While RM 100 a month won’t make you rich, it guarantees that your kitchen always has rice, oil, and eggs. By knowing the MyKasih Merchant List 2026 and the SARA Payment Schedule 2026, you can plan your monthly grocery run effectively.

1. Check Portal: Login to MySTR to confirm you are “Lulus SARA.
2. Check Merchant: Locate the nearest 99 Speedmart or Lotus’s.
3. Check IC: Ensure your MyKad chip is working. If not, go to JPN tomorrow.
4. Spend Wisely: Use the credit for expensive items like Cooking Oil (5kg) and Rice (10kg).

Disclaimer: The information regarding Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), eligibility criteria, and payment schedules in this guide is based on the latest announcements from the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and MyKasih Foundation as of early 2026. Government policies are subject to change. Please refer to the official MySTR Portal and MyKasih Website for the most authoritative and up-to-date information. The Walaoeh is not responsible for any rejected claims, IC chip errors, or payment disputes.