Monthly SARA aid payments begin today for 8.1 million recipients, with RM8 billion allocated to ease living costs, starting with households and seniors.
KUALA LUMPUR: Recipients of the monthly Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) assistance began receiving their credited payments today.
The aid provides crucial support to low-income households amid rising living costs.
This year’s distribution covers 8.1 million people with a total allocation of RM8 billion.
This is a significant increase from 5.4 million recipients and RM5 billion allocated last year.
Payments are being distributed in stages, starting today with household recipients and senior citizens without spouses.
The aid will extend to 3.1 million single individuals on January 16.
A nationwide check found recipients visiting selected supermarkets to use credits ranging from RM50 to RM200.
The credit is used to purchase essential items based on their approved category.
In Terengganu, rural residents in Dungun expressed gratitude for the continued assistance.
They described the monthly SARA aid as timely in easing the cost of living for the B40 group.
Azhar Ibrahim, 54, from Kampung Besol Lama, said the modest amount meaningfully helps cover kitchen essentials.
He quit his job at an iron ore mining company to care for his wife who suffered a stroke.
In Sarawak, housewife Dora Nyandang, 31, said the aid greatly benefits housewives.
“I just checked at the supermarket counter… and I was surprised to find RM100 added to my MyKad,” she said in Kuching.
She noted the credit can be used to purchase rice, eggs and other daily necessities.
In Kedah, Norazimah Wahab, 34, expressed gratitude for the government’s continued aid.
The assistance helps her manage kitchen expenses after savings were spent preparing her children for school.
In Selangor, many believe the aid helps single and low-income earners in cities manage living costs.
The assistance also provides a range of additional benefits to the group.
