Kota kinabalu: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) will collaborate with the Ministry of Finance (MOF) to expand access to essential items for recipients of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) aid. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali announced that KPDN had proposed allowing recipients to use their SARA aid at mobile Jualan Rahmah MADANI Programme (PJRM) locations, in addition to existing participating retailers.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, currently, recipients of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) aid can only purchase basic items at 4,152 participating supermarkets and retail outlets across the country, including 470 in Sabah. Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali emphasized that the new initiative would enable SARA recipients, particularly those in rural and interior areas, to use the aid credited to their MyKad to make purchases at mobile PJRM locations.
The minister highlighted an additional RM300 million allocation for PJRM, which would facilitate an increase in its frequency nationwide, targeting 20,000 series throughout the year. Specifically for Sabah, KPDN aims for 2,276 PJRM series, with 1,089 already implemented by July 26. He outlined the ministry’s strategy to achieve the target by year-end, focusing on increasing the range of items offered and enhancing cooperation with strategic retail partners.
In discussing the approaches, Datuk Armizan stated that improvements would provide people with more choices, noting the necessity of collaborating with retail partners instead of acting independently. He also commented on the ongoing KPDN Carnival 2025, marking the second year of implementation, with six carnival tours planned nationwide this year.
The carnival in Ranau, held alongside the Buy Malaysian Goods Campaign (KBBM), is the second in the series this year, with an expectation of attracting around 60,000 visitors over the three-day event. The minister reiterated that the initiative’s primary goal is to bring government services, particularly those under KPDN, closer to the grassroots level.
Datuk Armizan also mentioned that the KPDN Carnival 2025 serves as a catalyst in empowering KBBM under the theme ‘Jom Beli Lokal,’ supporting local products and strengthening the domestic economy. It is a strategic move to boost domestic economic growth while aiding local entrepreneurs and micro, small, and medium enterprises in expanding their market reach. Furthermore, the initiative provides a platform to showcase the quality of local products, potentially reducing reliance on imported goods.