Kuala lumpur: Business partners under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme have increased to 10,447 shops nationwide as of January 26, 2026, up from 700 in 2024, Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong announced. He indicated that the number will continue to grow to include supermarkets, grocery stores, cooperative shops, and mini markets across urban, rural, and remote areas.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the government will continuously review the requirements for becoming a SARA business partner to ensure local grocery stores and small traders are involved. This initiative aligns with the Prime Minister's 2026 New Year address. Liew mentioned that numerous applications have been received, and the government is expediting each application to meet a two-week targeted approval period. These comments were made during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat, responding to Oscar Ling Chai Yew's (PH-Sibu) inquiry about the MyKasih Shop approval process and eligibility criteria, including the requirement that over 70 percent of goods sold must be basic necessities.

For Sarawak specifically, 1,096 premises have registered as SARA business partners. Liew also stated that the government aims to refine the criteria and requirements for becoming a SARA business partner and is open to relaxing existing requirements if justified.