SHAH ALAM, July 21 — Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) and Rahmah Basic Aid (SARA) recipients are hoping for a higher allocation under Budget 2027 to help them cope with rising living costs.
A Media Selangor survey found that most recipients think a higher rate would ease their daily expenses burden.
Food delivery rider Mohammad Shafiq Idris, 30, said even just a bit more aid would be meaningful, especially for gig workers.
“(The aid) should be increased because the economy now is quite tight,” he told Media Selangor.
The single father said food essentials for him and his child could cost between RM200 and RM300 a month.
“Just RM100 more would be impactful and could ease my burden,” he added.
Student Siti Nurul Farhana Muhamad Nasir, 23, also hoped for increased aid as food prices keep rising.
“Food prices now are around RM10 to RM20 for one meal.
“If possible, the aid should be increased because one-off assistance definitely isn’t enough when prices keep going up,” she added.
Meanwhile, private sector employee Arsyad Kamalon Aripin, 24, said SARA has helped him with household expenses since he moved to Shah Alam, but hopes it can be expanded to more major supermarkets so it is easier for recipients to buy necessities.
“I use the aid in stages to buy kitchen things and for now, the amount is still enough for me… Just that if possible, SARA should be expanded to more big supermarkets because those are closer to where I live,” he explained.
Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Madani Government would look into increasing STR and SARA aid rates if Malaysia’s economy allows it.
He said this has been discussed with Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Johan Mahmood Merican and will be considered when Budget 2027 is designed.
