Sumbangan Asas Rahmah Extended To Sabah, Sarawak Via Mykad

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- The distribution of Sumbangan Asas Rahman (SARA) assistance via the use of MyKad will be expanded to Sabah and Sarawak this year instead of only in Peninsular Malaysia in 2024, said the Finance Ministry (MOF).

In a statement today, the Finance Ministry said the government will distribute SARA through MyKad monthly to each of the 700,000 poor and hardcore poor from tomorrow (Jan 15, 2025).

The statement said the rate of assistance has been increased with SARA, with poor and hardcore poor households in the eKasih registry set to receive RM2,100 in 2025 compared with RM1,200 in 2024.

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SARA assistance of RM100 per month will be credited to the recipients' MyKad for January to March 2025. This will be increased to RM200 a month effective April 2025.

"This mechanism is an improvement from last year, compared to the twice-a-year cash distribution to SARA recipients residing in Sabah, Sarawak, and the Federal Territory of Labuan," the ministry said.

Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister, said SARA is a targeted aid approach with part of the increase in national revenue and savings from subsidy expenditure redistributed to help those who truly need it.

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He said in the statement that the distribution of SARA via MyKad is also targeted because this mechanism ensures that the poor receive benefits in the form of basic goods, including essential food items.

"Upholding the principles of fairness and humanitarian values that drive the MADANI Economic framework, this restructuring of government finances ensures that it benefits the masses. The MADANI government is committed to using advanced digital technology to ensure that the distribution of assistance is done in a way that is comprehensive and easily accessed by the people," he added.

Under the SARA programme, beneficiaries can purchase selected necessities using their MyKad at registered supermarkets and retail outlets, which now number over 1,200 nationwide compared with 700 in 2024.

SARA recipients can use the credited funds to purchase selected necessities under categories such as personal hygiene items, medicines, and school supplies, in addition to basic food items.

-- BERNAMA