Deputy finance minister Lim Hui Ying said Perlis recorded the highest usage rate at 94%, followed by 93% in Sabah and Kedah, while Penang recorded 88%.

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

“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 today.

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 3,700 retail outlets have registered under the programme nationwide, enabling recipients to shop closer to home. In Penang alone, 190 such outlets are available.

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

She also said the maximum SARA aid for 2025 has been raised to RM2,100, a 75% increase from the previous RM1,200.

The combined allocation for the SARA and Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) programmes has been raised to RM13 billion this year, marking the highest cash aid provision in the country.