Government Expands SARA To Over 10,000 Additional Small Retailers

IPOH, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- More than 10,000 small retailers have been made eligible for the Skim Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), a move set to greatly expand the retail network providing essential goods to the public.

Political Secretary to the Finance Minister, Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim, said the initiative would integrate more small, local traders with the existing supermarket network to broaden public access. 

“These 10,000 traders are an addition to the existing network. Now people can easily buy their essentials from shops and grocers in their own neighbourhoods or villages. 

“It provides relief both to consumers and the businesses taking part,” he said after officiating the 2026 Back-to-School programme under the Sejahtera MADANI initiative.

The event was organised by the Perak State Development Office and the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) of the Prime Minister’s Department, in partnership with Pasaraya Borong Sakan Sdn Bhd.

On Jan 5, the Ministry of Finance announced a major expansion of SARA, targeting 10,000 participating small shops by the end of 2026, a significant increase from the over 3,000 outlets anticipated by the end of 2025.

Separately, as part of the broader Sejahtera MADANI initiative, the government has distributed school supply vouchers worth RM400 each to 250 registered low-income and hardcore poor families across Perak under its 2026 Back-to-School programme.

Muhammad Kamil said the initiative demonstrates the government’s sustained commitment to supporting vulnerable families in the e-Kasih system by offering timely financial relief for the new school term.

He also encouraged any eligible families who may have been overlooked to present themselves, advising them to contact their local ICU or district office. 

“Their cases will be reviewed and coordinated at the state and district levels to ensure no one is left out,” he added.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Kamil announced that RM5,362,800 has been allocated under the 2026 Early Schooling Assistance (BAP) scheme for 35,752 students in the Tambun and Padang Rengas parliamentary constituencies, scheduled to be disbursed this month.

He said RM4,486,950 will be channelled to the Tambun constituency, benefiting 29,913 students, while RM875,850 is designated for the Padang Rengas constituency, aiding 5,839 students.

"We hope this aid will be optimally used by parents to prepare school supplies for their children, who will begin the new academic session this month," he said at the 2026 Back-to-School programme organised by the Perak contingent police at its air operations base today.

This follows the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Jan 5 that the government has allocated RM800 million for the BAP scheme this year. The one-off aid of RM150 will be provided to all students from Year One to Form Six.

At the event today, 400 students from Year One to Form Six also received educational support totalling RM73,200 from Yayasan Taqwa of the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council.

-- BERNAMA