SARA Aid Brings Food Security, Eases Life For Orang Asli Community

By Habsah Ismail

KOTA BHARU, Aug 10 (Bernama) -- For some members of the Orang Asli community in Gua Musang, the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiative means they no longer have to substitute rice with cassava.

“We no longer have to replace rice with cassava. SARA has transformed our daily lives, particularly in securing basic food supplies,” said Amoi Asud, 36, of the Temiar tribe from Kampung Jader, Pos Simpor in Gua Musang.

With just MyKad verification, she said her husband can travel to town to stock up on rice and dry food such as noodles and vermicelli for the family, saving time and effort.

“Since this aid came along, it has helped us ensure we always have food and no longer have to depend on cassava when the rice supply runs out,” she told Bernama.

Suria Kamarul, 24, a Mendriq housewife from Kampung Kuala Lah, Gua Musang, said her MyKad now acts like a ‘multi-purpose card’, enabling her to purchase basic items at registered grocery stores, even those located nearly 10 kilometres from her home.

“We make the most of this RM100 monthly aid to buy groceries and daily necessities,” said Suria, who plants lemongrass with her husband.

A rubber tapper from the same district, Harun Abus, 24, said the MyKad-based system is more practical compared to cash assistance as it helped control spending. It is also more convenient as the number of registered shops are growing.

“SARA has had a big impact on our community, most of whom have no steady income. With more village shops registered under SARA, it’s easier for those of us living far from town,” he said.

Meanwhile, fisherman Awang Mat Sulaiman, 67, from Tok Bali, Pasir Puteh, said the MyKad purchasing method is especially convenient for the elderly. His wife, Zainun Sidi, 65, also praised the ease of the buying process and the availability of special counters for SARA recipients at supermarkets.

Zariana Awang Mat, a 34-year-old single mother of five said the assistance she has received since January has enabled her to purchase her children’s needs without having to prepare cash in advance.

SARA is a targeted cash aid initiative now expanded to 5.4 million recipients, comprising 700,000 existing eKasih beneficiaries and 4.7 million Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) recipients.

Under Budget 2025, the allocation for STR and SARA was increased to RM13 billion from RM10 billion previously, while the annual SARA rate was raised to RM2,100 from RM1,200 last year.

The move is in line with the MADANI economy framework, which focuses on empowering low-income groups through equitable opportunities, better living standards, and comprehensive social protection.

In conjunction with the National Day celebration, the government has also announced a one-off RM100 cash aid for all Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above under the SARA programme.

The initiative is expected to benefit 22 million people, involving an additional RM2 billion, bringing the total allocation for STR and SARA this year to RM15 billion, the highest in the nation’s cash aid history.

As of July 29, some 4,500 registered retail outlets nationwide have joined the SARA programme, offering over 90,000 essential daily goods in 14 categories, including rice, eggs, medicines, cleaning supplies, school necessities, and personal hygiene items.

-- BERNAMA