As Malaysians anticipate the upcoming RM100 one-off cash assistance under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiative, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) has issued a firm warning to the public: do not fall for fake registration websites and scam messages. This timely alert comes as fraudulent links have begun making the rounds online, tricking people into providing personal details under the guise of claiming the aid.

According to Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying, there is no registration or application required to receive the RM100 SARA assistance. "We've received numerous queries asking how to register, and unfortunately, we're also seeing a surge in scam messages and fake websites. Please don't click on them — these are scams," she warned. The cash aid will be credited automatically to all eligible MyKad holders aged 18 and above starting 31 August 2025.

Part of a Broader Cost-of-Living Relief Package

This RM100 disbursement forms part of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's broader efforts to alleviate the rising cost of living. Announced on 23 July 2025, the relief package includes several components:

These efforts are designed to offer immediate financial breathing room for everyday citizens amid ongoing economic pressures.

New 24/7 Anti-Scam Hotline Now Available

To further protect the public, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching highlighted the availability of an expanded 997 scam response hotline, which now operates 24 hours a day. Managed by the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) and led by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), this hotline allows scam victims to take swift action.

"Calls made to 997 will be recognised as official police reports," Teo said during a site visit in Johor. "This removes the need to physically visit a police station, speeding up the response time and increasing the chances of recovering lost funds."

Social Media Scams Still Rampant, Especially on Facebook

Teo also shed light on the alarming surge of scam ads in Malaysia — over 46,000 identified just this year, with Facebook alone accounting for approximately 80% of them. She voiced her frustration, particularly with Meta's lack of effective enforcement.

"I've been impersonated in scam ads promising free books. Despite our efforts to report and remove them, they keep coming back," she said. "I'm deeply disappointed with Meta for allowing this to continue."

Stay Safe: What You Can Do

With scammers getting more creative by the day, Malaysians are urged to:

The government is taking proactive steps to help Malaysians, but public awareness remains the first line of defence. If it sounds too good to be true — especially if it asks you to "register" for free money — it probably is.