PARLIAMENT | The Parliamentary Select Committee on Domestic Trade, Entrepreneurship, Cost of Living and Agriculture today proposed that the role of Yayasan MyKasih in the Rahmah Necessities Aid (Sara) programme be taken over by a government agency in the future.
Its chairperson, Cha Kee Chin, in the committee’s statement on the participation mechanism of business partners and implementing agencies in the Sara programme, said the Finance Ministry should strengthen governance aspects of the programme’s implementation.
These include clarifying the basis for appointing implementing agencies and assessing the reasonableness of transaction charges, he said.
“MyKasih is a foundation and welfare system provider that manages government cashless assistance programmes.
“Its role in the Sara initiative is as a facilitator, where the MyKasih system manages the distribution of aid credits and enables recipients to redeem essential goods using their MyKad.
“The ministry must ensure efforts are made for Yayasan MyKasih’s role to be taken over by a government agency in the future,” Cha told the Dewan Rakyat today.
The committee also proposed that the ministry and Yayasan MyKasih provide appropriate support to small retailers and cooperatives participating in the Sara programme, including financial assistance, working capital financing, support for acquiring payment terminal systems, and digital systems training.
“In addition, the ministry and Yayasan MyKasih must ensure adequate supplies of essential goods at Sara partner stores, review the list of approved items, and improve awareness and information efforts for aid recipients and traders regarding the implementation of the Sara programme,” Cha added.
MPs voice concerns
Earlier, several MPs from both the government and opposition benches echoed similar concerns.
During the debate session, Khoo Poay Tiong (Harapan-Kota Melaka) said the government should reconsider replacing MyKasih’s role in the Sara programme.
“MyKasih imposes a one percent charge on participating companies. Let’s say monthly sales amount to RM100,000, they would have to pay one percent to MyKasih.
“Assuming annual sales reach RM10 billion, MyKasih would earn RM80 million.
“I think the government should reconsider MyKasih’s role,” he said.
Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) said the one percent payment to MyKasih was too high.
“I would like to propose that the government not rely on a single agency. Attention should be given to involving various agencies in managing Sara.
“MyKasih is not a government agency; it is a private NGO,” he said.
Tan Hong Pin (Harapan-Bakri) also expressed the view that MyKasih’s role should be gradually taken over by a government agency.
Hassan Abdul Karim (Harapan-Pasir Gudang) said the government must be fair to people in opposition-held constituencies.
“Imagine this: appeals from the Pasir Gudang parliamentary office for Rahmah sales were not entertained. Pasir Gudang is a government-held parliamentary constituency.
“What about opposition constituencies? If you want to help, you must do it sincerely, not practise favouritism,” he added. - Mkini
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