KUALA LUMPUR, January 29 – Business partners under Malaysia’s Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme have surged to 10,447 shops nationwide as of January 26, 2026, up from just 700 in 2024, Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong announced.
The expansion aims to include supermarkets, grocery stores, cooperatives, and mini markets across urban, rural, and remote areas, ensuring wider access to basic necessities for Malaysians.
Liew said the government is streamlining the approval process for new SARA partners, targeting a two-week turnaround for applications, while also reviewing eligibility criteria to involve more local grocery stores and small traders.
In Sarawak alone, 1,096 premises are registered, and the government remains open to adjusting requirements if justified, in line with the Prime Minister’s 2026 New Year vision of supporting accessible, affordable essentials nationwide.
