Year: 2025

20250407_pg-3_Daily-Express-Borneo

KEPALA BATAS: The government’s Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) aid has come at a crucial time for many to help make ends meet.

Checks saw cashiers at authorised merchants serving long queues as recipients rush to use their credits.

Among the beneficiaries was lorry driver Mohd Zaini Yusoff, 60, who was accompanied by his 27-year-old daughter Nur Sabrina Mohd Zaini, who is disabled.

Both were grateful for the amount they had accumulated since the beginning of the year, along with an additional RM50 each under the MyKasih initiative.

“We purchased household items totalling about RM420, but paid RM20 only. The RM400 was deducted from our Sara account via our MyKad, as we have RM200 each in it,” said Mohd Zaini, who earns about RM2,000 a month.

They were among thousands of shoppers who queued up to redeem their Sara and MyKasih credits at Mydin Hypermarket here yesterday.

To ease crowd congestion, the hypermarket prepared dedicated lanes for purchases made under the aid programme.

Office administrator Teoh Wee Ling, 42, brought her 73-year-old mother Ho Ooi Lin yesterday to spend the RM50 monthly credit under MyKasih that Ho received.

“We were surprised with the variety of items we could buy under MyKasih. With rising costs, the aid is helpful,” said Teoh, who bought food supplies.

Housewife P. Summati, 72, who had already used part of her RM50 credit, said she hoped to use the remainder for vegetables, but was disappointed to learn that vegetables were not eligible under the programme.

“I bought about RM30 worth of dried food items earlier for our family of 11 at home. With RM20 balance under MyKasih, I was hoping to buy vegetables but was not allowed, so I’ll spend on other essential items,” she said.

Sunshine Wholesale Mart marketing communication manager Bryan Wong said the company decided to participate as a merchant to support the government’s initiative to ease the cost of living for targeted communities.

“We have a dedicated counter and system provided by the government to give a smooth checkout process for customers under MyKasih. The response has been encouraging,” he said.

Wong added that customers typically purchased items like rice, cooking oil, flour, eggs, canned food, and noodles.

“The programme has contributed positively to Sunshine’s business by increasing footfall.

“Many customers who come in for MyKasih purchases pick up additional items, contributing to overall basket sizes,” he said.

The Finance Ministry announced that the Sara initiative will be expanded to benefit 5.4 million Malaysians starting April 1, a significant increase from the previous 700,000 beneficiaries.

It said eligible recipients will receive up to RM2,100 in aid – a 75% increase from the RM1,200 provided in 2024.

Under the Sara programme, recipients use credits in their MyKad to buy selected essential goods at over 3,500 registered retail stores nationwide, an increase from 700 stores last year.

Apart from basic food items, the credits can be used to buy personal hygiene products, medicine and school supplies.

The expansion, it said, is part of the increased allocation for the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sara programmes, amounting to RM13bil this year – the highest in the nation’s history for cash aid distribution.

About 4.7 million STR recipients who are not listed under the eKasih database will receive new Sara assistance starting April 1, with RM50 monthly for elderly singles and RM100 monthly for households.

Dicipta: 06 April 2025 12:29 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, April 6- The Sumbangan Asas Rahmah Aid (SARA) is now being expanded to Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan to help alleviate the burdens of eligible recipients.

On average, recipients are using the assistance provided, valued at RM50 and RM100, to purchase daily necessities.

“I received confirmation that I was eligible to receive the SARA aid online, since April. Thus, I would like to thank the MADANI government for this.

“I will use the aid for my family needs, especially to buy groceries and so on,” said recipient Wera Suboh.

“Alhamdulillah, I began receiving the SARA aid this year. I heard of this financial aid from my parents who are also recipients of SARA.

“SARA is indeed very good and directly helps the B40 group and those in need.

“Thus, I hope that in the future, this contribution would continue and improve further to ease the burdens of the people,” said recipient, Mohammad Izuan Isack.

“Essential groceries such as rice, cooking oil, and such really lighten the burden on our family. We are grateful to the Prime Minister for the SARA aid.

“I hope aids like this can be continued in the long term to help those in need,” said recipient Piah Abdullah.

The SARA aid is credited monthly through Identity Card (MyKad) to all 700,000 recipients registered under eKasih.

In Labuan, so far, recipients of the assistance can use their MyKad to purchase essential goods from approved categories at two selected supermarkets.

KOTA BHARU, April 6 (Bernama) — With household expenses piling up after Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) aid which has been KOTA BHARU, April 6 (Bernama) — With household expenses piling up after Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) aid which has been increased and expanded to include more recipients, has become a timely relief for many Malaysians trying to stretch their ringgit.

For Syed Syazwan Syed Zaki, 34, the RM100 he received through SARA for the first time came at just the right moment.

But instead of spending it during the festivities, he chose to save it for more important needs after the celebration.

“After Raya, I plan to buy basic items like rice, cooking oil and sugar.

The next payment, I’ll use for hygiene products, medicine and school supplies for my children,” he said.

“This aid really helps lighten my load, especially as the head of the family dealing with rising living costs,” he told Bernama.

SARA payments of RM100 per month were credited directly to recipients’ MyKad from January to March this year.

From April 1, the amount has been increased to RM200 monthly, benefiting 5.4 million people – a big jump from just 700,000 previously.

For many families, this small but regular assistance is making a big difference.

Fatihah Aqilah Sabri, 31, a housewife living in Penambang, Kota Bharu, said she’s been receiving SARA since January and is saving the money to buy baby essentials for her one-year-old.

“I didn’t spend it right away.

I’m planning to use it after Raya to buy milk and diapers for my baby.

“This is my second year receiving SARA.

It may not be a huge amount, but it really helps our family get by,” she said.

For recipients like Syed Syazwan and Fatihah, SARA isn’t just extra cash – it’s a much-needed lifeline that helps them stay afloat, especially when expenses pile up after the festive season.

Nasional  Dicipta: 06 April 2025 04:29 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 April– Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) yang diterima individu yang layak bermula 1 April lalu, dijangka dapat membantu merangsang pertumbuhan ekonomi domestik negara.

Menurut Pensyarah Kanan Ekonomi, Universiti Teknologi Mara, UiTM, Dr Bashir Ahmad Shabir Ahmad, sumbangan itu dapat menampung perbelanjaan golongan yang memerlukan.

Beliau turut menyifatkan pendekatan kerajaan menyalurkan SARA menerusi penggunaan MyKad, sebagai kaedah mengenal pasti golongan sasar, merupakan pendekatan ideal, buat masa ini. 

“Di mana dengan pengemaskinian terhadap sistem Pangkalan Data Utama (PADU), golongan yang betul-betul layak dan juga dikenal pasti dapat menerima bantuan dengan lebih adil. Pada masa sama, ianya bertujuan memastikan tiada golongan rakyat yang tercicir dalam mendapatkan bantuan ini pada masa akan datang”, katanya kepada RTM.

Selain itu, langkah kerajaan menyalurkan sumbangan berkenaan menjelang Hari Raya Aidilfitri, adalah langkah tepat kerana berupaya membantu mereka yang layak untuk membuat persiapan hari raya.

Kerajaan MADANI mengumumkan peluasan SARA kepada 5.4 juta penerima bermula 1 April, meningkat hampir lapan kali ganda daripada penerima sedia ada.

Penerima yang layak akan menerima bantuan sehingga RM2,100, meningkat 75 peratus berbanding 2024.

Penyaluran SARA melalui MyKad akan diperluaskan ke Sabah, Sarawak dan Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan, membolehkan penerima membeli barangan keperluan asas di lebih 3,500 kedai runcit berdaftar.

Dicipta: 05 April 2025 10:33 AM

IPOH, 5 April – Penyaluran Bantuan Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) yang bermula 1 April lalu disambut baik oleh penerima terutamanya golongan berpendapatan rendah dan penerima baharu.

Rata-rata penerima menyifatkan inisiatif Kerajaan MADANI itu membantu meringankan beban kos sara hidup, perbelanjaan harian khususnya selepas sambutan Aidilfitri.  

Penerima baharu, Hafizi Zainudin berkata, bantuan yang diterima amat membantu selepas perbelanjaan besar dilakukan pada hari raya.

“Bagi saya, ini sangat membantu. Selepas perbelanjaan banyak sebelum raya, bantuan ini membantu dari segi barangan dapur untuk kegunaan selepas raya,” katanya kepada RTM baru-baru ini.

Bagi Ahmad Syukri Ahmad Bashah pula, ini adalah kali pertama beliau menerima bantuan SARA dan menyifatkannya sebagai sangat relevan untuk menyokong keperluan harian golongan B40.

“Bantuan ini memang diperlukan, dan dengan jumlah yang diberikan, kami dapat beli barangan asas,” ujarnya.

Sementara itu, Syahrain berkata, bantuan yang diterima lebih daripada mencukupi bagi menampung keperluan isi rumahnya.

“Saya gunakan wang tunai untuk barang peribadi, manakala bantuan ini banyak membantu bagi beli barang-barang kering seperti sabun, beras dan makanan asas,” katanya.

Sebelum ini, bantuan SARA sebanyak RM100 sebulan telah dikreditkan ke dalam MyKad penerima dari Januari hingga Mac 2025.

Jumlah itu kemudian dinaikkan kepada RM200 sebulan bermula 1 April, membabitkan seramai 5.4 juta penerima di seluruh negara.

20250404_pg8_Berita-Harian

KUALA LUMPUR: Peningkatan jumlah bantuan Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) hingga RM2,100 berbanding RM1,200 pada tahun lepas, dikreditkan kepada penerima yang layak semalam disifatkan sebagai ‘rezeki Syawal’.

Pada ketika umat Islam masih dalam ‘mood’ meraikan Aidilfitri, seorang penerima warga emas daripada KELANTAN Rosli Abd Ghani, 64, menyifatkan bantuan yang dikreditkan pada hari kedua sambutan perayaan berkenaan bagaikan durian runtuh.

“Alhamdulillah, ini kali pertama saya terima bantuan SARA dan rezeki yang diperoleh ini sedikit sebanyak dapat menampung perbelanjaan harian saya sekeluarga, termasuklah digunakan untuk musim perayaan Aidilfitri seperti membeli barangan keperluan harian dan biskut raya,” katanya.

Sementara itu, di TERENGGANU penerima SARA Zakaria Awang, 49, berkata bantuan itu dapat meringankan bebanan kewangannya yang telah banyak mengeluarkan perbelanjaan sempena sambutan Aidilfitri.

Penerima SARA dari MELAKA, Raziah Ismail, 32 pula menganggap bantuan yang diterimanya pada bulan Syawal itu sebagai rezeki terpijak yang amat melegakannya dalam menguruskan perbelanjaan harian.

“Sebagai suri rumah dengan empat anak yang bersekolah, nilai RM200 itu amat besar untuk ringankan beban perbelanjaan harian seperti membeli minyak masak dan telur,” katanya.

Rata-rata penerima juga menyifatkan jumlah bantuan SARA yang meningkat sebanyak 75 peratus tahun ini berbanding 2024, amat membantu mereka menampung perbelanjaan harian serta kos persekolahan anak-anak.

Di PAHANG, Mohd Badrul Rizaman Jusoh, 42, berkata inisiatif SARA memberi manfaat besar bagi ketua keluarga sepertinya terutama dalam menampung perbelanjaan persekolahan empat anak berusia antara 7 hingga 16 tahun.

“RM100 yang diterima juga akan digunakan untuk membeli minyak dan beras kerana itu keperluan utama keluarga kami yang mana setiap bulan hampir RM100 saya belanjakan untuk membeli barang asas berkenaan,” katanya.

Di PULAU PINANG, seorang penerima Mohd Hasbibollah Abdul, 48, berkata bantuan SARA diterimanya itu sedikit sebanyak meringankan beban apabila dapat membeli barang keperluan asas seperti beras, minyak masak dan tepung.

Suri rumah dari PERLIS, Robedah Nayan, 38, juga gembira dengan peningkatan bantuan kepada RM200 sebulan berbanding RM100 sebelum ini sekali gus meringankan kos perbelanjaan keluarga ditampung suaminya yang bekerja sebadai pemandu lori.

Di SARAWAK, Minjon Pawang, 67, yang menerima bantuan SARA sejak April tahun lepas berkata bantuan diterimanya itu sangat bermakna dalam membantu meringankan beban perbelanjaan diri sendiri sejak kematian suami pada 2022.

Penerima bantuan SARA di SABAH Frankey Geoffery, 50, pula menzahirkan penghargaan kepada Kerajaan MADANI yang sangat prihatin membantu rakyat, khususnya golongan memerlukan.

Kementerian Kewangan pada 26 Mac lepas mengumumkan peluasan pelaksanaan SARA kepada 5.4 juta penerima bermula 1 April meningkat hampir lapan kali ganda berbanding 700,000 penerima sedia ada.

Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yang juga Menteri Kewangan berkata peluasan itu sebahagian daripada peningkatan peruntukan program Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) dan SARA kepada RM13 bilion pada tahun ini, jumlah tertinggi dalam sejarah penyaluran bantuan tunai kerajaan kepada rakyat.

Di bawah program SARA, penerima boleh membeli barangan keperluan asas terpilih dengan menggunakan MyKad di kedai-kedai runcit berdaftar yang kini berjumlah lebih 3,500 buah di seluruh negara, berbanding 700 buah pada 2024.

Selain makanan asas, kredit SARA juga boleh digunakan untuk membeli barangan kebersihan diri, ubat-ubatan serta peralatan persekolahan.

– BERNAMA

JASIN, 1 April-Peluasan pelaksanaan Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) kepada 5.4 juta penerima bermula hari ini memberi kelegaan kepada golongan B40 khasnya dalam mendepani peningkatan kos sara hidup.

Exco Kemajuan Desa, Pertanian dan Keterjaminan Makanan Melaka, Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh menyifatkan usaha itu menunjukkan keprihatinan Kerajaan Madani berhubung kesempitan hidup rakyat.

“Saya ingin ucapkan terima kaih kepada kerajaan kerana memperluaskan Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) kepada seluruh rakyat.

“Meskipun ada pihak yang memperlekeh inisiatif ini, bagi saya RM100 ini sangat membantu golongan memerlukan”, jelasnya ketika ditemui RTM di sini.

Sementara itu, penerima SARA, Mohd Faid Ariffi menyifatkan bantuan berkenaan mampu mengurangkan beban dalam pembelian barangan dapur.

“Alhamdulilah, Inisiatif SARA membantu khususnya dalam pembelian barangan dapur.

“Dan ia amat membantu ketika gaji semakin susut”, katanya.

Bagi Haliza Mahat pula, inisiatif SARA mengurangkan beban yang ditanggung oleh keluarganya lantaran suaminya yang tidak bekerja disebabkan uzur.

“Rasa gembira kerana SARA membantu keluarga memandangkan suami saya tidak lagi bekerja dan uzur.Sekurang-kurangnya ia membantu mengurangkan beban”, jelasnya,

Terdahulu, Kerajaan MADANI mengumumkan peluasan pelaksanaan SARA kepada 5.4 juta penerima bermula 1 April, meningkat hampir lapan kali ganda berbanding 700,000 penerima sedia ada.

Kementerian Kewangan memaklumkan penerima yang layak akan menerima bantuan sehingga RM2,100, meningkat sebanyak 75 peratus berbanding RM1,200 pada 2024.

Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim berkata SARA merupakan pendekatan bantuan secara bersasar, dengan sebahagian pertambahan hasil negara serta penjimatan daripada perbelanjaan subsidi diagihkan semula bagi membantu mereka yang benar-benar memerlukan.

Menteri Kewangan itu berkata penyaluran SARA melalui MyKad juga bersasar kerana kaedah tersebut memastikan golongan sasar menerima manfaatnya dalam bentuk barangan asas.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 (Bernama) — The increase in the amount of Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) assistance to RM2,100 compared to RM1,200 last year that was credited to eligible recipients today, is described as ‘Syawal gift’.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 (Bernama) — The increase in the amount of Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) assistance to RM2,100 compared to RM1,200 last year that was credited to eligible recipients today, is described as ‘Syawal gift’. At a time when Muslims are still in the mood to celebrate Aidilfitri, a senior citizen recipient from KELANTAN, Rosli Abd Ghani, 64, described the assistance credited on the second day of the festival as a windfall.

“Alhamdulillah, this is the first time I have received SARA assistance and the assistance will help cover my family’s daily expenses, including being used for the Aidilfitri festive season such as buying daily necessities and Raya biscuits,” he said.

Meanwhile, in TERENGGANU, SARA recipient Zakaria Awang, 49, said the assistance would ease his financial burden as he has spent a lot of money in conjunction with the Aidilfitri celebration.

SARA recipient from MELAKA, Raziah Ismail, 32, considers the assistance she received in the month of Syawal as a stepping stone that greatly relieves her in managing her daily expenses.

“As a housewife with four children in school, the value of RM200 is a big sum to ease the burden of daily expenses such as buying cooking oil and eggs,” she said.

On average, recipients also described the amount of SARA assistance, which increased by 75 per cent this year compared to 2024, as greatly helping them cover daily expenses as well as their children’s schooling costs.

In PAHANG, Mohd Badrul Rizaman Jusoh, 42, said the SARA initiative has provided great benefits for heads of families like him, especially in covering the schooling expenses of four children aged between 7 and 16.

“The RM100 received will also be used to buy oil and rice because these are the main needs of our family, which is why I spend almost RM100 every month to buy these basic items,” he said.

In PENANG, recipient Mohd Hasbibollah Abdul, 48, said that the SARA assistance he received has somewhat eased the burden when he can buy basic necessities such as rice, cooking oil and flour.

A housewife from PERLIS, Robedah Nayan, 38, is also happy with the increase in assistance to RM200 a month compared to RM100 previously, thus easing the cost of family expenses borne by her husband, a lorry driver.

In SARAWAK, Minjon Pawang, 67, who has been receiving SARA assistance since April last year, said the assistance she received was very meaningful in helping ease the burden of personal expenses since the death of her husband in 2022.

SARA assistance recipient in SABAH Frankey Geoffery, 50, also expressed his appreciation to the MADANI Government, which he said was very concerned about helping the people, especially the needy.

The Ministry of Finance on March 26 announced the expansion of the implementation of SARA to 5.4 million recipients starting April 1, an increase of almost eight times compared to the existing 700,000 recipients.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Minister of Finance, said the expansion was part of the increase in the allocation for Sumbang Tunai Rahmah (STR) and SARA programmes to RM13 billion this year, the highest amount in the history of government cash assistance to the people.

Under the SARA programme, recipients can purchase selected basic necessities using their MyKad at registered retail outlets, which currently number over 3,500 nationwide, compared to 700 in 2024.

Apart from basic food, SARA credit can also be used to purchase personal hygiene items, medicines and school supplies.

— BERNAMA