SARA Partner Shops Rise To 9,200 Nationwide

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- The number of partner shops under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme has increased to 9,200 nationwide as of yesterday (Nov 23), compared with 700 shops in 2024, said Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying.

She said these premises cover various categories, including supermarkets, grocery shops, cooperative stores and mini markets in urban, rural and interior areas, ensuring more recipients have convenient access to SARA assistance.

She said that to date, more than 5.3 million SARA recipients have used their MyKad to purchase essential goods at registered premises, reflecting a utilisation rate of nearly 99 per cent with total spending reaching RM4 billion.

Lim said that to further improve access, especially in rural and interior areas, on-ground implementation of SARA is also combined with the Jualan Rahmah programme.

“Through this approach, recipients not only enjoy cheaper goods but can also purchase essential items using their MyKad at SARA partner premises, most of which are privately owned grocery shops,” she said during the Dewan Rakyat special chambers session today.

Lim was responding to a question from Nurul Amin Hamid (PN-Padang Terap) on measures taken by the ministry to ensure that small retailers in village areas also benefit from the programme.

Elaborating further, she said approval of SARA partner premises takes into account the number of recipients in a given area, including a minimum distance requirement of 10 kilometres to ensure reasonable access.

At the same time, Lim said engagement sessions with associations and relevant agencies are also being held to encourage greater participation from private grocery shops and corporate retailers.

On SARA partner eligibility requirements, she said premises must be legally registered and licensed, be prepared to accept payment via MyKad, ensure sufficient stock of SARA-listed items with proper labelling and comply with specified payment rules.

“Among the main reasons applications from small retailers are rejected are that the premises do not sell at least 70 per cent of the 14 SARA item categories, are located far from residential areas, or sell goods at prices higher than the market,” she said.

-- BERNAMA