NEW SARA RECIPIENTS EAGERLY AWAIT AID AHEAD OF AIDILFITRI

IPOH, March 26 (Bernama) -- The announcement of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) distribution, starting on April 1, brings relief to the B40 group, especially new recipients who are eager to utilise the aid to manage their daily expenses and prepare for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.

For single mother Intan Suraya Mohd Noordin, 50, a new SARA recipient, the assistance has provided significant relief in easing the financial burden for her and her only child.

"Alhamdulillah, I’m very grateful to be listed as a recipient, and this additional aid will help cover the cost of essential items for our Aidilfitri preparations," she said when met by Bernama at a supermarket in Tambun today.

Suraya, who was previously a recipient of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), also praised the government’s approach of distributing SARA automatically through the MyKad, which she described as safer and ensures that only eligible recipients can use it.

The MADANI government today announced the expansion of SARA to 5.4 million recipients starting April 1, an increase of nearly eight times compared to the existing 700,000 recipients.

Eligible recipients will receive aid of up to RM2,100, an increase of 75 per cent compared to RM1,200 in 2024.

This expansion is part of the increase in the allocation for the STR and SARA programmes to RM13 billion this year, the highest amount in the history of government cash aid distribution to the public.

In addition, 4.7 million STR recipients who are not listed in eKasih will receive the new SARA aid of RM50 per month for senior citizens, without a spouse, and RM100 per month for households, starting April 1.

Shahrulnaim Salim, 28, a worker at the Ipoh City Council and a new SARA recipient, expressed his gratitude for the government assistance.

“With this help, I can cover additional grocery expenses, especially during the festive season when it is much needed. I feel really happy knowing that this will ease my family's financial burden," said Shahrulnaim, who is awaiting the birth of his second child soon.

Meanwhile, Kamarudin Abu Kasim, 69, a former health care assistant, was pleasantly surprised upon finding out that he was eligible to receive the SARA aid this year.

"Previously, I only received the STR assistance. As a pensioner, I have some savings, although not much. But this year, I was surprised when I found my name listed as a recipient for the SARA assistance," he said when met after attempting to make a payment using his MyKad, only to see that the assistance would be available starting April 1.

Under the SARA programme, recipients can purchase selected essential items using their MyKad at over 1,200 registered retail stores across the country, compared to 700 stores in 2024. SARA recipients can use the credits provided to purchase selected basic necessities in categories such as personal hygiene items, medicines and school supplies, in addition to basic food items.

-- BERNAMA