Extra PH & RM100 cash aid in government relief
On 23rd July 2025, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim finally revealed the special appreciation package for Malaysians that he has been hinting at. Those chronically online will recall his humourous Facebook post responding to those impatient for updates: An edited clip of him making a fiery speech from the past, and a corresponding response of P. Ramlee crooning “tunggu sekejap” – we felt called out.
The government relief comprises a series of initiatives aimed at easing the rising cost of living for Malaysias.
Starting from 31st August, every Malaysian citizen aged 18 and above will receive a one-off RM100 credit directly credited to their MyKad under an expanded government initiative known as Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA). In addition to the financial aid, the government has declared an extra public holiday on 15th September in conjunction with Malaysia Day.
Roundup of PMX’s announcement on 23rd July
The SARA initiative, a government programme designed to mitigate the rising cost of living, will credit RM100 to the MyKad of each eligible adult Malaysian between 31st August and 31st December 2025. It will be distributed on an individual basis, not by household. For starters, a family of five adults will receive RM500.
This credit is in conjunction with Merdeka Day and a token of appreciation for the rakyat. It’s redeemable at 4,100 participating retail stores nationwide, including Mydin, Lotus’s, Econsave, 99Speedmart, and more.
There’ll also be an addition of a public holiday on 15th September to properly commemorate Malaysia Day. Since Malaysia Day marks the day Sabah, Sarawak, and Malaya united to form Malaysia in 1963, this extra day off enhances the significance by allowing Malaysians to engage more fully in celebrations and activities promoting national identity.
It also means that we can enjoy nationwide public holidays on both Monday (15th Sep) and Tuesday (16th Sep) this year.
The other highlight announcements made by Anwar during the livestream are:
- Deferred toll rate increase for 10 highways, which was initially scheduled for this year. The affected highways are Senai-Desaru Expressway (SDE), East Coast Expressway 2 (LPT2), South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE), Butterworth Outer Ring Road (LBB), and Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya Expressway (MEX). The government is to bear over RM500 million in costs.
- The retail price of RON95 petrol to be reduced from RM2.05 per litre to RM1.99 per litre for Malaysian citizens through a subsidy scheme. Prices will remain unchanged for foreign nationals. More details to be announced by end-September this year. This will benefit 18 million motorists.
- 85% of electricity users in Malaysia are to have up to 14% reductions, due to a restructuring of the electricity and fuel tariffs
- MOH to accelerate the filling of 4,352 positions, including contract doctors, across the country by the end of 2025
- Minimum salary rate of RM1,700 will be fully effective this 1st August
- Government to launch MADANI Welfare, helping the hard-working poor and poor through joint efforts of Government and corporate sector
- Malaysia recorded the highest approved investment in history, amounting to RM384 billion in 2024, up 17% compared to 2023, and this achievement is projected to continue to soar in 2025
- Malaysia climbs 11 steps to the 23rd position in the 2025 World Competitiveness Index
- GDP growth in the first quarter of this year recorded a growth of 4.4%, and based on initial projections, the second quarter will reach 4.5%
Government relief for the rakyat announced by PM Anwar
We Malaysians will never say no to another public holiday. With Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebrations just around the corner, we now have not just two days, but three to proudly enjoy being Anak Malaysia. And with an RM100 cash aid for essentials and other forms of relief, our wallets will feel a little less pressure from our monthly expenditures.
Cover image adapted from: Business Today, Templer Park International School (TPIS)