Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged critics to stop mocking the RM100 Rahmah Necessities Aid (Sara), stressing that it makes a real difference to households facing economic hardship.
He explained that low-income families comprising a married couple and two adult children could receive up to RM400 in assistance, which may increase to RM700 when combined with the Rahmah Cash Contribution (STR) scheme.
“Yesterday, I announced several additional measures. If some are offended, so be it — that’s politics,” he said during the Finance Ministry’s monthly assembly in Putrajaya today.
“Just RM100? Yes, maybe to those earning RM20,000 or RM40,000 a month, it’s negligible. But when we visit rural communities, we see the impact. This is additional support.”
Anwar criticised opposition MPs for downplaying the aid, saying, “Listening to some MPs in Parliament — ‘Just RM100? Just RM100?’ Can’t they read? If I call them short-sighted, they take offence. This is additional. We’ve raised the allocation from RM13 billion to RM15 billion this year for STR and Sara.”
He also touched on the decision to reduce RON95 petrol prices, noting that it was necessary.
“Even during discussions on petrol price reductions, I made it clear there would be a cut. It’s rational — in Saudi Arabia, petrol costs RM1.99 or RM2. So we’re doing the same. Foreign nationals will have to pay market prices, which we’ll formalise later,” he said.
Yesterday, Anwar announced that the price of petrol for Malaysians will drop from RM2.05 to RM1.99 per litre by the end of September.
Additionally, Malaysians aged 18 and above will receive a one-off RM100 under Sara to purchase groceries and household essentials from participating outlets. A public holiday has also been declared on 15 September.
Toll charges on 10 highways will remain unchanged this year, costing the government RM500 million.
“There’s no such thing as a single announcement solving everything. Even Budget 2026 won’t fix all of our national problems. But we’re doing our best,” Anwar added.
He dismissed calls for his resignation, asserting that such demands hold no political weight.
“This is not a political crisis. If it’s politics, then wait for the general election in two years. So this ‘Turun Anwar’ (step down Anwar) movement has no effect. Don’t worry,” he said.
The “Turun Anwar” protest, scheduled for 2pm this Saturday in downtown Kuala Lumpur, is the climax of a series of smaller opposition-led demonstrations.
According to Bernama, Kuala Lumpur police chief Usuf Jan Mohamad said police had received 60 reports about the planned rally, which is expected to draw 10,000 to 15,000 participants — including NGOs, students, and members of the public.
However, PAS Arau MP Shahidan Kassim was more optimistic, predicting a turnout of up to half a million.