Sabah has the highest number of Rahmah Necessities Aid (Sara) recipients, said Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Armizan Mohd Ali.
Armizan said Sabahans accounted for nearly 500,000 recipients, who received a total of more than RM492 million.
“Of the total number of (Sara) recipients, Sabah recorded the highest number of aid recipients, which is 497,815 people with a total allocation of RM492,636,150,” Sinar Harian quoted him as saying today.
The monthly Sara aid has also been increased to a maximum of RM200 for each category, compared to the previous RM100 limit, he added.
He was met by reporters at the Jualan Rahmah programme at the Kota Kinabalu City Hall.
75pct increase in aid
Starting April 1, Sara aid will expand from 700,000 recipients to 5.4 million.
The Finance Ministry earlier said in a statement that eligible recipients will receive up to RM2,100, which is an increase of 75 percent.
The government increased the allocation for the Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) and Sara to RM13 billion this year.
Armizan said that the government has introduced the use of the MyKad as a payment medium in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan.
This was limited to the peninsula last year.
“This is an improvement compared to last year, which used cash channels twice a year. Now, recipients can use the credit distributed through MyKad to buy basic necessities at selected premises.
“To begin with, 424 business partners, including selected supermarkets and retail stores in Sabah, will participate in this programme.
“Sara recipients can purchase 13 categories of essential goods, including basic food, personal hygiene products, medicines and school supplies,” Armizan said.
The government is strengthening measures to address the cost of living crisis through the increased allocation for the STR and Sara programmes, he added.
“This initiative is hoped to provide relief to the people, especially in Sabah, which is the highest recipient of this assistance.
“The government is committed to ensuring that the assistance provided is targeted, fast and flexible according to the people’s needs,” he said. - Mkini
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