KUALA LUMPUR: The one-off Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) cash aid of RM100, an amount previously questioned by some quarters, has proven to significantly ease household expenses while also stimulating the domestic economy.
Since the aid was distributed to all Malaysians aged 18 and above, starting on National Day last Sunday (Aug 31), social media platforms have been flooded with posts of recipients sharing how they used the assistance to purchase basic necessities.
Describing it as a meaningful gesture, most of those interviewed by Bernama in Kuala Lumpur viewed the aid as a ‘rezeki berganda’ (double blessing) particularly for the B40 group, in helping them cope with the rising cost of living.
For Nabila Mohd Azmai, 36, from Damansara, the aid arrived at a crucial time, as her household currently relies solely on her husband’s income.
“This assistance really helps with buying rice, eggs and other dry goods for the month. Even though wet items aren’t covered under Sara, being able to get rice and eggs is enough – that’s what matters,” she said when met at a supermarket here.
For Zamri Ahmad, 55, the Sara assistance not only allows people from all income levels to obtain necessities at reasonable prices but also helps small traders clear their stock.
“I came to buy other items but noticed the essentials that can be purchased with SARA. Alhamdulillah, at least I can help those in need while getting various items at affordable prices,” said the executive officer of a private company.
The positive impact of the initiative was also felt outside the capital. In PAHANG, single mother and factory operator Norlia Abdullah, 48, said the aid had been a great relief, enabling her to stretch her household expenses for more than a month.
She recounted paying just RM1.85 for a basket of kitchen essentials, including rice, cooking oil, snacks, fast food, laundry items and personal hygiene products, worth over RM200, after combining the RM100 Sara assistance with her monthly MyKasih aid.
Meanwhile, housewife Zakiah Che Mat Mokhtar, 50, expressed hope that the SARA assistance could eventually be extended to cover wet items as well.
“Items with the Sara tag are fine, but it would be even better if wet goods were included, since prices of essentials like chicken and vegetables have also gone up slightly,” she said.
In Selangor, Aifa Natasha Azmi, 28, a mother of two young children, said the combination of Sara assistance with her husband’s allocation enabled them to pay just RM1.25 for 27 basic items, including rice, eggs and sanitary napkins, under the MyKasih programme.
“Normally, we would spend around RM200 a month on dry goods, but this month our family has an extra RM200 to allocate for other needs,” said the private sector employee.
She added that redeeming the Sara assistance was also convenient, as recipients only need to shop at selected supermarkets as many are located close to home and simply follow the list of eligible items.
In contrast, another private sector employee, Nor Zamira Che Noh, 32, said she plans to use the aid to stock up on dry food as savings for her family in preparation for the year-end flood season that frequently affects the area.
In Terengganu, single mother and restaurant owner Norharizan Hassan, 47, said the aid was carefully planned with her two children to be set aside for emergencies, especially during the flood season. Her eldest child and son-in-law, meanwhile, intend to use the contribution to purchase baby essentials.
“All three of my children, aged between 22 and 27, still live with me. Two of them help out at the restaurant, while the youngest is disabled and has autism. Renting a separate home is costly, so we choose to stay together and save where we can,” she said.
“To be honest, my income is just enough to cover food, housing and car payments. That’s why I felt truly grateful and moved when the Prime Minister announced the aid. I have never received any assistance before – not even under the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) cash aid,” she said.
In Kelantan, for Ab Manaf Mat Shah, 68, the SARA assistance is more than just financial aid – it’s an opportunity to instil the habit of spending wisely and prudently within his family.
The businessman said all nine of his children, their spouses and three grandchildren aged 18 and above were eligible for the aid, bringing the total amount received to RM2,100. He added that the funds would be used thoughtfully, prioritising essential needs.
The Sara assistance, distributed via MyKad beginning Aug 31, benefits 22 million Malaysians with a total allocation of RM2bil.
The one-off RM100 contribution is provided to all Malaysians aged 18 and above, regardless of income category – B40, M40 or T20 – and can be redeemed at selected supermarkets nationwide using their MyKad. – Bernama
