KOTA BARU: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry’s enforcement and price-monitoring teams continue to conduct daily checks in Kelantan to ensure price stability.
State director Azman Ismail confirmed that no complaints had been received so far regarding price hikes under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) and MyKasih programmes.
“Our enforcement and monitoring teams are on the ground every day. To date, no complaints have been lodged concerning price increases through Sara and MyKasih,” he said.
Azman said the ministry’s officers remain vigilant, ensuring traders abide by regulations to protect consumer welfare.
Meanwhile, checks at several outlets showed that recipients of both programmes continued to visit the premises.
Most of the buyers, mainly housewives, were at the outlets as early as 9am when they opened.
Sara is a cashless aid initiative introduced on Aug 31 to help Malaysians in purchasing essential items. All citizens aged 18 and above, across B40, M40, and T20 income groups, are eligible.
Each recipient receives RM100 credited via their MyKad, redeemable at over 7,300 registered outlets, and valid until Dec 31.
Within the first six days of roll-out, 8.3 million recipients spent RM536.9 million in total. During the first week, nationwide expenditure under Sara was at RM642 million.
MyKasih is a cashless welfare-distribution programme managed by the non-profit MyKasih Foundation, established in 2009.
Under MyKasih’s food aid programme, approved low-income families receive a monthly allowance to purchase essential items such as rice, cooking oil, eggs, noodles and more from participating outlets using a chip-based system embedded in their MyKad or smartcard.
To date, MyKasih has expanded nationwide, reaching over six million families and students, channelling nearly RM1.5 billion in aid.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
