BKK, SARA MADANI Payments Marking Seven Decades of Independence Symbolise Appreciation for the People – PM Anwar
PUTRAJAYA: The Special Financial Assistance (BKK) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) MADANI payments in conjunction with Malaysia’s 70th independence anniversary next year symbolise the government’s appreciation for the people’s contributions to the nation’s development since independence.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the seven-decade milestone held special significance, as independence itself was a gift to the people.
“Seven decades to mark independence… a gift to the people,” he told Bernama when asked about the significance of the seven decades of independence highlighted during the tabling of Budget 2027 last Friday.
Under the budget, the government agreed to provide RM1,500 in BKK payments to 1.3 million civil servants from Premier Grade B and below, including contract appointees.
An assistance payment of RM750 will also be provided to more than one million government retirees, including pensionable and non-pensionable veterans.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the BKK payments would be distributed in two instalments, one before the Aidilfitri celebration and another in conjunction with the country’s approaching 70th independence anniversary.
In addition, Malaysians aged 18 and above who are not recipients of Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) will receive RM100 in SARA MADANI assistance per payment, which will also be distributed twice.
The assistance reflects the government’s efforts to ensure that the benefits of national development are shared with the people, while recognising the contributions of civil servants, retirees and society as a whole throughout Malaysia’s journey as an independent nation.
Malaysia will celebrate its 70th independence anniversary in 2027, marking seven decades of progress in national development and efforts to improve the people’s well-being.
The term “decade” refers to a period of 10 years, meaning seven decades represent 70 years.
Budget 2027, themed “Reaching for the Sky, Rooted in the Earth”, was tabled by Anwar in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday, with government allocations totalling RM459.8 billion.
This is supplemented by RM25 billion in investments from government-linked investment companies (GLICs), RM11 billion in public-private investments, and RM14.2 billion in investments from Federal Statutory Bodies and Minister of Finance Incorporated (MoF Inc.) companies.
These allocations bring the overall Budget 2027 to RM510 billion, continuing the government’s expansionary fiscal policy.
The fifth MADANI Budget aims to translate resilient economic growth into tangible benefits for the people through better wages, more efficient targeted assistance, stronger fiscal discipline and aggressive measures to develop higher-value industries.
BERNAMA