SARA initiative: Alleviating financial strain for those in need

A sweeper, Rubiah Uthman, 66, said that although some may see it as a pittance, the amount is quite substantial for the needy like her because it can ease kitchen expenses and cover other monthly expenditures.

"I work as a part-time sweeper four times a week. Alhamdulillah, this assistance helps bridge any financial gaps. It enables me to set aside some of my earnings for emergencies, especially since my husband and I don't have pensions. It is indeed a great help.

"With that assistance, I can buy cooking oil, sugar, milk and biscuits. We usually allocate about RM200 a month but now, the government is giving out all sorts of help. There is the Rahmah Sales and so on to help the lowly paid," the mother of four told Bernama.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Minister of Finance, was reported to have said on Jan 19 that the SARA programme is expected to benefit over 700,000 beneficiaries with an allocation of RM700 million, a five-fold increase compared to 210,000 beneficiaries with an expenditure of RM130 million last year.

He explained that it was to improve SARA as a targeted subsidy aid to those who are most affected by rising costs of living. The initiative has been implemented in stages since Jan 22.

Meanwhile, housewife Siti Maryam Harun, 45, said the programme allows recipients to buy essential items at supermarkets or retail stores by simply showing their MyKad, which is very convenient for the elderly and women as there is no need to wait in long queues.

"This (cashless form of aid which automatically deposits RM100 in an account opened using the recipient's MyKad) also prevents people from abusing the aid to buy other items. It is very useful to buy kitchen essentials, as I cook for my family every day, so it saves me RM100 every month instead of drawing on my own money," she said.

Retiree Borhan Alias, 65, also expressed his gratitude for the government's genuine concern for the poor like him.

"I just found out about this aid from a friend and it supports our daily expenses. Last month I got RM100, this month I get another RM100, so I can buy rice, biscuits and oil," said the father of one child.

This year, the SARA aid to households has been increased to RM1,200 from RM600 in 2023, while the rate for single individuals remains at RM600.

For recipients in Peninsular Malaysia, the aid will be disbursed monthly, with households and single elderly individuals receiving RM100 per month, and singles receiving RM50 per month.

Recipients in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan will receive their aid in two instalments of RM600 for households and senior citizens without a spouse, and RM300 for single individuals to their bank accounts/or in cash at Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) branches nationwide.

-- BERNAMA