Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Finance (MOF) has issued a warning to the public not to fall victim to fraudulent schemes inviting them to register for the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) appreciation initiative announced by the MADANI government, according to Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. Amir Hamzah clarified that Malaysian citizens do not need to register or apply for the SARA aid, as eligibility is automatic based on the data of all adult citizens who hold a MyKad.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the data of MyKad holders from the National Registration Department (JPN) will be used to credit the SARA awards. The government plans to distribute RM100 through a ‘one-off’ credit to each Malaysian MyKad holder aged 18 and above, specifically those born in 2007 and before. This initiative will benefit a total of 22 million Malaysians, requiring a budget of RM2 billion, as stated by Amir Hamzah during the Minister’s Question Time session at the Dewan Rakyat.
Amir Hamzah was responding to an inquiry from Syerleena Abdul Rashid (PH-Bukit Bendera) regarding the registration process for receiving RM100 under the SARA appreciation initiative. Furthermore, in response to a supplementary question from Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (PN-Kuala Krai), Amir Hamzah mentioned that the MOF encourages more small enterprises to register for selling goods allowed under the SARA initiative.
He noted that as of July 29, more than 4,500 retail premises are registered, involving the sale of over 90,000 daily necessities across 14 categories, including basic food items such as rice and eggs, household cleaning products, medicines, school supplies, and personal hygiene items. Entrepreneurs only need to register with Yaysan MyKasih and comply with the set requirements, urging more registrations to expand the available opportunities.
The government is also exploring additional opportunities to support small enterprises, including schemes for micro, small, and medium enterprises, which can be leveraged to enhance small businesses further, Amir Hamzah added.