Hari Raya is meant to be a celebration. For families on tight budgets, it can also be a strain.
Yayasan PETRONAS, the foundation arm of Malaysia's national oil and gas company, runs an annual programme to take some of that weight off. In 2026 it reached 4,850 low-income families.
The programme in numbers
The programme is called Memacu Kehidupan Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2026. According to Bernama, it delivered nearly RM1 million in assistance.
Recipients came from 13 states and three Federal Territories. So this was a national effort, not a single-state one.
On the ground in Kelantan
Bernama covered the handover in Kota Bharu on 12 March 2026. In Kelantan, 400 low-income families received aid across four districts: Kota Bharu, Tumpat, Pasir Mas and Bachok.
Each family received basic food items and a hamper of festive cookies.
Mohammad Ahmad Shazly Ramli, general manager of the PETRONAS East Coast Region, presented the contributions. He was joined by Datuk Rohani Ibrahim, who chairs Kelantan's social welfare, women and family development committee.
He said the annual programme is meant to ease the burden on recipients as they prepare for Aidilfitri.
Why food aid still matters
Food hampers are the oldest form of festive giving, and it's easy to dismiss them. But they do something practical. They free up household cash for everything else the season demands.
Scale matters too. Reaching every state takes logistics and local knowledge that few organisations have.
How it compares
Festive giving takes many forms in Malaysia. Sunway Group's Sinar Ramadan buka puasa with the elderly centres on time and company. Yayasan PETRONAS's programme centres on reach.
Outside the festive season, the same families often need help with schooling. That's where programmes like TNB's Ceria Ke Sekolah school supplies vouchers and Marrybrown's Back to School programme in Sabah come in.
Individual giving has a place alongside corporate programmes as well. One example is Dato' Seri Ivan Teh's support for a family in crisis.
Frequently asked questions
What is Memacu Kehidupan Hari Raya Aidilfitri?
It's an annual Yayasan PETRONAS programme that helps low-income families prepare for Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
How many families received aid in 2026?
4,850 low-income families across 13 states and three Federal Territories, including 400 in Kelantan.
What did families receive?
In Kelantan, families received basic food items and festive cookie hampers.
Sources
Bernama: "Over 4,000 Families Receive Yayasan Petronas Aidilfitri Assistance", 12 March 2026.