‘NOT JUST RM100’, SARA HELPS FAMILIES STAY AFLOAT IN TIMES OF NEED

KANGAR, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- The Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) assistance provided by the government has been described as a ‘lifesaver’ and a ‘source of hope’ by low-income groups and small traders in Perlis, helping to ease family burdens during times of hardship.

Many interviewed by Bernama today expressed their gratitude for the initiative, which has significantly helped them meet their families’ basic needs.

For Sharihan Abu Bakar, 45, who sells nasi lemak and chocolate cakes by the roadside here, income as a small trader is uncertain, especially during rainy periods that sometimes lead to flooding. Last month, she was unable to do business for nearly a week.

“For some people, the RM100 SARA aid may not seem like much, but to me it is valuable and meaningful, as it helps me buy necessities for my family when I am unable to trade and have no steady income.

“I have been doing this business for over two years, and I am grateful to the government for helping to ease our burden by allowing me to provide food for my family,” said Sharihan, who lives in Kampung Nesam here.

Sharihan, who has a daughter aged 14 and a son aged seven, hopes the government will continue the assistance and consider increasing the amount, as it is highly beneficial to those in need.

Meanwhile, roadside kuih stall assistant Nur Ilyana Syahira Azhar, 22, who lives in Beseri near Padang Besar, also expressed her appreciation to the government, saying the SARA assistance has helped ease the burden on her and her husband in purchasing basic household necessities.

She said with her husband’s irregular income as a rojak seller and herself working only part-time at a stall, the RM100 SARA aid is crucial as they have a daughter aged one year and 10 months.

“The SARA aid really helps. With just our identity card, without carrying cash, we can buy household necessities. I hope there will be an increase in the amount in the coming year,” she said.

On Dec 18, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said Perlis, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Pahang and the Federal Territory of Labuan recorded an average SARA utilisation rate of nearly 100 per cent.

The government has provided a one-off RM100 SARA assistance to every Malaysian citizen aged 18 and above via MyKad, which can be redeemed from Aug 31 until Dec 31 this year.

Under Budget 2026, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an additional RM100 in SARA credits, which will be disbursed to 22 million Malaysians in mid-February 2026, to help ease preparations for Ramadan and the Chinese New Year.

-- BERNAMA