Modest Yet Meaningful: SARA Assistance Reflects MADANI Govt’s Concern

ISKANDAR PUTERI, July 1 (Bernama) — The expansion of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) or basic Rahmah contribution initiative, to benefit 5.4 ISKANDAR PUTERI, July 1 (Bernama) — The expansion of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) or basic Rahmah contribution initiative, to benefit 5.4 million recipients, starting April 1, has been described as a blessing, particularly for low-income individuals, those who have lost their regular income, and others struggling with the rising cost of living.

For 76-year-old Shaari Yahaya, a retired private sector employee, the SARA aid has been a significant help, especially with the rising cost of basic necessities, after being out of the workforce for decades.

“As a senior citizen who has been retired for a long time, I have no income and rely entirely on my children.

“This SARA aid is very meaningful to me because it allows me to buy essential items like milk, soy sauce, and more.

Today, I’ll first take a look at the items in the supermarket, then decide what to buy,” he said when met by Bernama.

He added that the people hope such initiatives will continue and be further improved to assist more groups in need.

Similarly, 38-year-old mother of three, including a set of twins, Izlaily Nurul Ain Hussein, said that although the SARA assistance of RM100 a month for a year may seem small, it still provides meaningful relief to recipients.

She said she has not yet spent the assistance received since April, and has now accumulated RM300, which she plans to use for household items at the end of this month.

“SARA is not just financial assistance – it’s a reflection of the government’s concern for people in need.

At first, I didn’t know I was eligible for this aid, but after my husband checked and told me, I am very grateful,” she said.

“With twins and another five-year-old child, our family expenses have gone up.

So the SARA aid has helped ease our monthly burden to some extent,” said the part-time private sector employee.

Another recipient, 35-year-old Hafi, who preferred not to disclose his full name, said this was the first time he had received such assistance and described it as extremely helpful.

“I’m more comfortable accumulating the assistance over two or three months before spending it all at once.

That way, I can buy essential items in larger quantities,” said Hafi, who works in the customer service sector and lives in Gelang Patah.

Hafi added that the rising cost of living has forced him to be more frugal, and the SARA assistance has provided some relief in managing his monthly expenses.

Previously, the MADANI Government announced the expansion of the SARA initiative to 5.4 million recipients starting April 1, an almost eightfold increase from the 700,000 beneficiaries previously.

High MyKad usage for Sara programme in Sabah

BELURAN: Sabah has shown a high rate of MyKad usage for the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) programme, with 94% of recipients making purchases on registered premises.

Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said there are 506,000 Sara recipients with RM500mil approved annually.

“Currently, there are almost 4,000 registered grocery shops and supermarkets in the country compared to 700 in 2024.

“In Sabah alone, there are over 430 registered premises, and this number will increase to ensure better access in all areas,” she stated in a press release yesterday.

She also said that the government is enhancing the range of basic necessities permitted in the programme by expanding the current 14 categories to include household items such as soap, detergent, and floor cleaners, effective May 1.

On her working visit to Beluran with Finance Ministry officers, Lim said it was part of their commitment.

“The main focus of the visit is to check out the implementation of the Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) in addition to Sara and to directly interact with recipients, as the programme allows the government the opportunity to assess the effectiveness of the aid and to obtain feedback from recipients, especially from the interior of Sabah.

“In Malaysia, there are 566,000 STR recipients without bank accounts; in Sabah, 62,000 out of 830,000 STR recipients do not have bank accounts.

“Today (Monday), almost 400 recipients in Beluran without bank accounts showed up for the STR cash payment programme,” she added, Bernama reported.

Lim also shared that RM410mil has been channelled for Phase One and Two of STR payments in Sabah, with two more STR payments to be made in August and November.

“As such, a mobile Bank Simpanan Nasional branch has been initiated to offer banking services, including deposits, withdrawals and financial advice, to rural residents in Beluran at their doorstep.”

Sabah Tunjuk Prestasi Tinggi Penggunaan MyKad Untuk Program Sara

BELURAN, 30 Jun (Bernama) — Sabah menunjukkan prestasi paling tinggi dalam penggunaan MyKad bagi program Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), dengan 94 peratus daripada penerima membuat pembelian di premis berdaftar.

BELURAN, 30 Jun (Bernama) — Sabah menunjukkan prestasi paling tinggi dalam penggunaan MyKad bagi program Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), dengan 94 peratus daripada penerima membuat pembelian di premis berdaftar. Timbalan Menteri Kewangan Lim Hui Ying berkata sebanyak 506,000 penerima SARA direkodkan di Sabah, dengan jumlah kelayakan RM500 juta setahun.

“Sehingga Jun 2025, lebih 4.8 juta daripada 5.4 juta penerima SARA di negara ini menggunakan MyKad bagi membeli barangan asas di premis berdaftar.

Ini mencerminkan kadar penggunaan 90 peratus bagi bulan ketiga pengkreditan.

Selari dengan itu, premis perniagaan yang menyertai program SARA turut meningkat.

“Sehingga kini, terdapat hampir 4,000 kedai runcit dan pasar raya berdaftar seluruh negara, berbanding hanya 700 pada tahun 2024.

Di Sabah sahaja terdapat lebih 430 premis berdaftar dan jumlah ini akan terus bertambah bagi memastikan akses yang lebih menyeluruh di semua kawasan,” katanya dalam kenyataan di sini hari ini.

Dalam pada itu, Lim berkata kerajaan turut menambah baik skop barangan asas yang dibenarkan dalam program SARA apabila 14 kategori barangan sedia ada diperluaskan lagi merangkumi produk kebersihan rumah seperti sabun, serbuk pencuci pakaian, pencuci pinggan dan pencuci lantai mulai 1 Mei lepas.

Sementara itu, berkaitan lawatan kerja ke Beluran bersama delegasi Kementerian Kewangan, Lim berkata perkara itu adalah sebahagian daripada komitmen pihaknya yang bukan sekadar menyampaikan bantuan tunai tetapi mencerminkan usaha kerajaan turun padang menyantuni rakyat.

“Fokus utama lawatan ini adalah meninjau pelaksanaan Program Penunaian Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) selain SARA serta berinteraksi secara langsung dengan para penerima bantuan.

Program ini memberi peluang kepada kerajaan untuk menilai keberkesanan bantuan dan mendapatkan maklum balas daripada penerima, khususnya di kawasan pedalaman Sabah.

“Di Malaysia, penerima STR yang tidak mempunyai akaun bank sebanyak 566,000, manakala 7.934 juta penerima memiliki akaun bank.

Di Sabah, sebanyak 62,000 tidak memiliki akaun bank daripada 830,000 penerima STR.

Hari ini, hampir 400 penerima STR di Beluran yang tidak mempunyai akaun bank hadir ke Program Penunaian STR,” katanya lagi.

Lim berkata sejumlah RM410 juta disalurkan bagi bayaran STR Fasa 1 serta Fasa 2 di Sabah, di samping terdapat dua lagi baki bayaran STR yang akan dibuat pada Ogos dan November 2025.

“Sehubungan itu, satu inisiatif dari Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) menyediakan Cawangan Bank Bergerak (CBB) ke program hari ini dengan menawarkan pelbagai perkhidmatan perbankan yang komprehensif, termasuk deposit, pengeluaran dan nasihat kewangan tanpa memerlukan penduduk melakukan perjalanan jauh.

“Perkhidmatan ini sangat membantu penduduk luar di kawasan Beluran membolehkan mereka mengakses perkhidmatan perbankan dengan lebih mudah,” katanya.

Saat Hilang Pendapatan, Bantuan SARA ‘Muncul’ Ringankan Beban

Oleh Siti Azila Alias GEORGE TOWN, 24 Jun (Bernama) — Penyaluran bantuan Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) terus menjadi sinar harapan buat Oleh Siti Azila Alias GEORGE TOWN, 24 Jun (Bernama) — Penyaluran bantuan Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) terus menjadi sinar harapan buat golongan sedang bergelut meneruskan kelangsungan hidup, khususnya mereka yang tidak lagi mempunyai sumber pendapatan tetap.

Bagi pesara swasta B Letchumanan, 60, biarpun segelintir menganggap sumbangan itu kecil, namun baginya nilai itu amat besar kerana sekurang-kurangnya dapat menampung perbelanjaan membeli barangan keperluan harian.

Menurut Letchumanan, isterinya merupakan penerima SARA manakala bapanya berusia 85 tahun baru sahaja disenaraikan sebagai penerima bantuan berkenaan, sekali gus meringankan perbelanjaan isi rumah mereka.

“Hari ini saya datang membeli barangan kebersihan diri untuk ayah memandangkan dia mengalami kesukaran bergerak akibat sakit lutut.

“Ayah sudah berusia 85 dan merupakan seorang pesara guru.

Dia tinggal dengan saya sekeluarga jadi, dengan adanya bantuan SARA ini boleh menampung perbelanjaan ayah memandangkan saya juga sudah tidak bekerja,” katanya kepada Bernama ketika ditemui pada Program SARA Kementerian Kewangan baru-baru ini.

Letchumanan berkata kaedah penyaluran bantuan terus ke dalam MyKad amat memudahkan penerima kerana boleh digunakan pada bila-bila masa tanpa melalui urusan teknikal tambahan.

Sementara itu, Nur Aziah Bahari, 65, bersyukur terpilih untuk menerima bantuan berjumlah RM100 dan telah menggunakannya untuk membeli barangan makanan.

Mengakui agak terkesan dengan peningkatan kos sara hidup hingga terpaksa berjimat dalam berbelanja, namun dia berkata bantuan tersebut memberikan kelegaan kepadanya dalam menguruskan perbelanjaan terutama barangan keperluan harian.

“Ini kali kedua wang dikreditkan dalam MyKad saya.

Ini amat membantu meringankan beban tambahan saya yang menjaga seorang anak kurang upaya dan suami juga tidak sihat,” katanya.

Yong Kok Choy,75, turut berkongsi rasa terharu atas bantuan itu sekali gus membuktikan keprihatinan kerajaan dalam membela nasib rakyat yang terbeban dengan situasi ekonomi semasa.

Yong berkata inisiatif kerajaan itu wajar diteruskan dan diperluas supaya lebih ramai akan mendapat manfaat.

Timbalan Menteri Kewangan Lim Hui Ying berkata kerajaan telah meningkatkan jumlah bantuan bagi program Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) dan SARA kepada RM13 bilion tahun ini, menjadikan ia peruntukan bantuan tunai tertinggi.

Pulau Pinang merekodkan jumlah penerima SARA sebanyak 293,000 orang daripada keseluruhan 5.4 juta penerima di seluruh negara.

Program SARA merupakan sumbangan tambahan kepada penerima STR yang dikategorikan sebagai miskin atau miskin tegar di bawah eKasih.

Dari Januari hingga Mac 2025, penerima memperoleh RM100 sebulan yang dikreditkan terus ke akaun MyKad mereka dan bermula 1 April lepas, jumlah ini dinaikkan kepada RM200 yang memberi manfaat kepada 5.4 juta penerima.

4.8 million Sara recipients use MyKad to buy essential items

GEORGE TOWN: A total of 4.8 million out of 5.4 million recipients of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) aid have used their MyKad to purchase basic necessities at registered shops nationwide as of this month.

Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said Perlis recorded the highest number of users at 94%, followed by 93% in Sabah and Kedah, while Penang ­recorded 88%.

She said the figures reflect the growing effectiveness of the initiative due to various awareness and promotional efforts at both federal and state levels.

The government has raised the amount of funds for both Sara and Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) schemes to RM13bil this year, the highest for cash aid programmes in Malaysia’s history, Bernama reported Lim as saying.

“The ministry will continue to strengthen awareness campaigns to ensure more people benefit from this government aid, which is aimed at easing their financial burden.

“We have also significantly expanded the number of recipients from 700,000 to 5.4 million since April,” she told reporters during a Sara outreach programme at a hypermarket here yesterday.

At the event, Lim met with 100 Sara recipients in Penang as part of the ministry’s effort to engage directly with urban communities.

She said to date, 3,700 retail premises have registered under the programme nationwide, enabling recipients to shop closer to home.

In Penang alone, 190 outlets are part of the programme.

Since May 1, the programme was enhanced by expanding the list of eligible items to 14 categories, including household and personal hygiene products, medicines and school supplies like uniforms and shoes.

The maximum amount of aid for 2025 was raised to RM2,100 from RM1,200, a 75% increase, Lim added.

Source: The Star Online