RM16b in SARA, STR aid for Malaysians as helping the poor won’t bankrupt the govt, says Anwar

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government will not become poor or go bankrupt by helping the less fortunate, as the real threats to the country’s economy are misconduct among leaders, corruption and financial leakages. — Bernama pic

First Published: Saturday, 31 Oct 2026 7:19 PM MYT

KOTA BHARU, Oct 31 — The government will not become poor or go bankrupt by helping the less fortunate, as the real threats to the country’s economy are misconduct among leaders, corruption and financial leakages, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

He said providing assistance to low-income groups was the government’s responsibility to ensure that the benefits of national development were shared more widely among the people.

Anwar cited the government’s allocation of RM16 billion this year for the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) and Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) assistance programmes, alongside increases in civil servants’ salaries and the minimum wage, as measures aimed at improving the people’s well-being.

“No country or government has ever become poor simply by helping the poor,” he said when launching the Kelantan Entrepreneur Revival Scheme here today.

He said a country’s economy could suffer if public wealth was exploited to serve the interests of certain groups, particularly through corruption and greed in the administration.

The Prime Minister stressed that the government must continue to uphold its commitment to helping those in need while maintaining sound financial management and good governance. — Bernama