Labuan: Using MyKad makes everything more accessible, especially for people like us who are always budgeting tightly. It’s also discreet, nobody has to know you’re receiving assistance’. Those are the words of Norlela Jumat, a cleaner and mother from Labuan.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiative provides much-needed support for low-income families like Norlela’s by bridging the financial gap between paydays. This initiative allows monthly credit to be automatically linked to recipients’ MyKad, enabling them to purchase essential goods directly from selected supermarkets in a faster, easier, and more secure manner.
Nurhidayah Olivia Abdullah, a 29-year-old member of the People’s Volunteer Corps (RELA), shared similar experiences, stating that since receiving the assistance in April, the MyKad system has given her peace of mind. ‘It’s been a huge help. I no longer have to worry if I have enough cash for essentials. I just go and scan my MyKad at the counter. The process is usually fast and seamless,’ she expressed.
Jamnah Sabah, 48, another RELA member, emphasized the importance of both SARA and the cash-based Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) programme. ‘For SARA, I appreciate the ease of presenting my MyKad at the store. It saves time, and I don’t need to explain or show additional documents; it really helps,’ she said.
Single father Roslan Idris, 38, who supports his three school-going children with two part-time jobs, shared that the combination of SARA and STR has been crucial for his family’s sustenance. ‘STR helped with school needs, while SARA ensured my kitchen wasn’t empty. The fact that I just use my MyKad at checkout is the best part. No hassle, no extra steps. It makes a difference when you’re rushing between jobs,’ he noted.
Siti Aminah Matdehanan, 44, an office cleaner earning RM1,400 monthly, praised the straightforwardness of the MyKad method. ‘I don’t need to queue at counters for vouchers or cash out benefits, it’s just swiped and done. That kind of efficiency matters,’ she remarked.
The SARA programme is designed to provide additional support to STR recipients who are classified as poor or hardcore poor under eKasih. It aligns with the ‘raise the floor’ thrust of the MADANI Economy framework, which aims to improve the quality of life for all Malaysians by ensuring equitable benefits and opportunities, decent living standards, and social protection for the rakyat.
Under the MADANI Government, SARA’s annual assistance has been increased to RM2,100 for eligible households registered under the eKasih system, up from RM1,200 provided last year. Recipients received RM100 monthly from January to March 2025, credited directly to their MyKad accounts. This amount was increased to RM200 starting April 1, benefiting a broader pool of 5.4 million recipients.
On March 24, the government rolled out Phase 2 of STR payments, benefiting 8.5 million recipients, comprising 60 percent of Malaysia’s adults, with aid of up to RM650. This phase involved RM1.7 billion in funds, an increase from RM1.5 billion last year.