MONTHLY SARA AID CREDITED TODAY, OFFERS MUCH-NEEDED SUPPORT TO RECIPIENTS

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- Recipients of the monthly Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) assistance, which continues this year, began receiving their payments today, providing relief to more low-income households amid rising living costs.

With several improvements introduced to expand its benefits, the distribution of the assistance this year increased significantly, covering 8.1 million people with a total allocation of RM8 billion, compared with 5.4 million recipients and RM5 billion allocated last year.

The aid distribution, conducted in stages, began today, with payments first credited to household recipients and senior citizens without spouses before extending to 3.1 million single individuals on Jan 16.

A nationwide check by Bernama found that aid recipients have been visiting selected supermarkets since this morning to utilise credit amounts ranging from RM50 to RM200, depending on their approved category, to purchase essential items.

In TERENGGANU, most residents in the rural areas of Dungun expressed gratitude that the assistance has continued this year, describing the monthly SARA assistance as timely in easing the cost of living for the low-income group (B40), particularly rural households.

Azhar Ibrahim, 54, from Kampung Besol Lama, Bukit Besi, said the aid, despite its modest amount, had provided meaningful help in covering his kitchen essentials, especially after he quit his job at an iron ore mining company to care for his wife, who suffered a stroke.

In SARAWAK, housewife Dora Nyandang, 31, said the assistance had been of great benefit to housewives like her, as it could be used to purchase essential items such as rice, eggs and other daily necessities.

“I just checked at the supermarket counter to see if the monthly SARA assistance had been credited, and I was surprised to find RM100 added to my MyKad,” she said when met at a supermarket in Kuching.

In KEDAH, Norazimah Wahab, 34, of Taman Desa Impian near Padang Terap, said she was grateful for the government’s continued aid, which had helped her manage kitchen expenses after most of her savings were spent preparing her two children for school.

In SELANGOR, many are of the view that the monthly SARA assistance can help single and low-income earners in the city manage their living costs while also providing a range of additional benefits to the group.

Aishah Mohd Mustapha, 28, a clerk in Shah Alam, described the monthly SARA assistance as a lifeline for her family, helping to meet basic household needs.

“With five siblings and my parents living with me, and my youngest still in secondary school, this monthly assistance is a big help,” she said.

In KELANTAN, housewife Nor Hazirah Ismail, 36, when met at a supermarket near Pasir Tumboh, Kota Bharu, said the assistance had helped her with kitchen expenses after she spent more than RM800 on school supplies for her five children.

In SABAH, Erdy Irawan, 40, said he was thankful to continue receiving the assistance this year, describing it as an important support for purchasing baby formula and kitchen essentials amid his uncertain income.

“I’m self-employed and sometimes take on lawn mowing jobs. Today, with the monthly SARA aid credited, I took my wife to the supermarket on Jalan Kuhara to buy essential items. It really helps lighten my burden,” he said.

In PERAK, recipients in Batu Gajah began queuing at a supermarket from as early as 10am, with housewife Hasirah Abd Mutalib, 53, of Kampung Seri Jaya near here, saying the aid made buying kitchen essentials a relief.

Meanwhile, in PERLIS, Abdul Ghani Saad, 70, who has been receiving the aid with his wife, Ku Amrah Ku Jaafar, 64, for the past two years, said it had greatly helped them manage daily expenses since he can no longer work.

“The aid helps us meet the basic needs of our five family members,” he said at the Eco Jimat Supermarket on Jalan Bukit Keteri near Kangar.

The rollout of the monthly SARA aid in JOHOR today was warmly welcomed by recipients, with many arriving from early morning to use the MyKasih facility to buy kitchen staples such as rice, sugar, milk and other daily necessities.

Supermarket assistant supervisor A. Sasmitha said their team had been working together to ensure smooth transactions and help customers throughout the programme.

In PAHANG, Nur Izzatul Hamizah Mohammad Rostam, the owner of a sundry shop in Bukit Rangin, said the MyKasih system had made trader registration and transactions easier, without affecting the day-to-day operations of her business.

“For me, this system is clear, organised and easy to follow. Prices of products have not gone up, and some suppliers even offer lower prices knowing we are part of this government initiative,” she said, adding that the refund claim process is also quick, taking about two to three days, and does not affect the trader’s cash flow.

In NEGERI SEMBILAN, Lim Chai Hee, 65, said the monthly SARA aid had been a big help for people like him but he expressed hope the amount could be increased in the future amid rising living costs.

The owner of Pasar Mini Azman in Johol, Kuala Pilah, Fakhruddin Mohd Azman, 31, said preparations had been made in advance, with stocks of basic SARA items like sugar, flour, rice, instant noodles and eggs regularly increased to meet local demand.

Fakhruddin said this is the third year his shop has offered essential items under SARA for sale, and so far, there have been no supply issues as all items are easy to obtain and readily available.

-- BERNAMA