Malaysia announces cash handouts to all citizens aged 18 and above

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Malaysia will begin providing cash handouts to all citizens aged 18 and above on August 31, the national day, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Wednesday.

This initiative is “a token of appreciation… to all citizens for their support, loyalty, and togetherness, which have fueled the agenda of national recovery and reform,” Anwar said on X after a televised address to the nation.

He said under the SARA, or Mercy Basic Contribution, initiative, the citizens will get RM100 ($24) as a one-off payment and can use it between Aug. 31 and the end of this year.

The announcement comes amid biting inflation, and the cash handouts are expected to benefit some 22 million Malaysians and cost the government RM2 billion ($472 million).

Malaysia has a population of over 35 million.

Such a cash handout is “the first time in history that cash assistance is distributed to all adult citizens,” he said.

As part of National Day celebrations, Anwar also announced an additional public holiday on Sept. 15.

He also announced a targeted oil subsidy for some 18 million motorists from September.