MyKad-linked SARA Aid Helps Single Mothers Stretch Their Ringgit

KUALA NERUS, Aug 3 (Bernama) — The distribution of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) aid via MyKad not only ensures the assistance reaches those truly eligible but also allows recipients to enjoy special promotional prices at selected supermarkets.

Sharing her experience, Noraini Sidek@Ali, 49, a single mother of four, said some supermarkets in the district offer lower prices to SARA recipients who pay using their MyKad.

“They give special prices to help people in the B40 group like us. This way, I feel the aid really goes to the right people,” she told Bernama.

Noraini, who works as a domestic helper, earning around RM600 a month and also receives state government aid, said the RM100 monthly assistance she has been getting since April has been a big help in buying basic necessities.

“It helps me save a little each month because I don’t have to worry so much about grocery expenses,” she said, adding that she still has to support her youngest son, who is in school.

Noraini’s younger sister, Nor Laily Azura, who is also a SARA recipient, said paying for groceries with her MyKad makes her feel safer and more confident whenever she goes shopping.

“I’m a single mother who’s always out and about on my own. Even if my kids are with me, they’re still very young. With SARA, I don’t need to carry my bank card or a lot of cash,” said Nor Laily, whose husband died in a road accident in 2019.

Supporting her two daughters, aged 11 and  6, remains challenging despite earning RM400 a month as a homestay helper, receiving her late husband’s pension, and getting state government aid.

“I can’t take a full-time job now because I have to care for my children and my elderly father. Thankfully, since March, I’ve been receiving RM200 a month from SARA. At least I don’t have to worry so much about grocery expenses,” she said.

For both Noraini and Nor Laily, SARA assistance delivered directly via MyKad not only helps ease their financial burden but also makes life easier for single mothers managing children and daily responsibilities on their own.

This targeted cash aid initiative for those most in need has now been expanded to benefit 5.4 million recipients, comprising 700,000 existing beneficiaries under eKasih and 4.7 million under the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR).

Under Budget 2025, allocations for STR and SARA have been increased to RM13 billion from RM10 billion previously, with the annual SARA aid raised to RM2,100 from RM1,200 last year.

The initiative is part of the MADANI Economy framework, which focuses on empowering low-income households through fair opportunities, better living standards and comprehensive social protection.

In conjunction with National Day, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday announced a one-off RM100 payment to all Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above.

The payment, credited directly to recipients’ MyKad under SARA, will benefit 22 million Malaysians.

The allocation involves an additional RM2 billion, bringing the total funding for STR and SARA this year to RM15 billion, the highest in the nation’s history for cash assistance.

The funds can be spent from Aug 31 to Dec 31 at more than 4,500 shops and supermarkets nationwide.

— BERNAMA

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