Sara aid recipients in East Malaysia hail quicker distribution via MyKad

 

Sara aid recipients in Sabah and Sarawak could use their MyKad to purchase items from Jan 15. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

East Malaysian recipients of Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) are pleased with the government’s use of the MyKad to distribute the cash aid, which they say has made it much faster and easier to access the funds.

Before Jan 15, the aid meant for the purchase of essential goods was distributed in the form of cash transfers twice a year.

Limbang resident Singar Salam, 63, said she no longer had to go out of her way to withdraw the cash from her bank account since she could pay for the goods using her MyKad.

“It’s really easy and quick to redeem the goods using the MyKad. And this aid is a relief for us, providing for our basic needs,” said Singar, a kampung durian and vegetable trader.

Singar Salam said that the Sara aid she received was used to buy basic necessities for her family.

Dayang Fadilah Awang Kadir, 30, said this was particularly helpful for folk in rural areas, who may not have easy access to banks or ATMs.

“Unlike before, there’s no need to travel far to get to an ATM. Now, I only have to bring my MyKad and I can already purchase my essentials,” said the housewife from Papar.

Aside from Sara, the government distributes the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) to eligible Malaysians. A total of RM13 billion has been allocated for the two aid schemes under the 2025 budget to lighten the burden of people in various categories.

Previously, Bank Muamalat Malaysia chief economist Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said raising the amount of cash aid would help mitigate the impact of targeted RON95 petrol subsidies, which is expected to be implemented in stages.

The Sara aid has been increased to RM2,100 for the entire year, specifically involving RM100 a month from January to March, and then RM200 each month from April.

Elizabeth Lunek, 37, also from Limbang, expressed hope that more grocery stores and sundry shops would be roped in to make the initiative a success.

“If more shops take part in this initiative, we would be able to redeem our goods anytime,” she said, thanking Putrajaya for raising the Sara aid amount from April. - FMT