GEORGE TOWN: A total of 4.8 million out of 5.4 million recipients of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) aid have used their MyKad to purchase basic necessities at registered shops nationwide as of this month.

Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said Perlis recorded the highest number of users at 94%, followed by 93% in Sabah and Kedah, while Penang ­recorded 88%.

She said the figures reflect the growing effectiveness of the initiative due to various awareness and promotional efforts at both federal and state levels.

The government has raised the amount of funds for both Sara and Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) schemes to RM13bil this year, the highest for cash aid programmes in Malaysia’s history, Bernama reported Lim as saying.

“The ministry will continue to strengthen awareness campaigns to ensure more people benefit from this government aid, which is aimed at easing their financial burden.

“We have also significantly expanded the number of recipients from 700,000 to 5.4 million since April,” she told reporters during a Sara outreach programme at a hypermarket here yesterday.

At the event, Lim met with 100 Sara recipients in Penang as part of the ministry’s effort to engage directly with urban communities.

She said to date, 3,700 retail premises have registered under the programme nationwide, enabling recipients to shop closer to home.

In Penang alone, 190 outlets are part of the programme.

Since May 1, the programme was enhanced by expanding the list of eligible items to 14 categories, including household and personal hygiene products, medicines and school supplies like uniforms and shoes.

The maximum amount of aid for 2025 was raised to RM2,100 from RM1,200, a 75% increase, Lim added.