Kuala lumpur: Recipients of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) scheme on Pulau Bum-Bum off Sabah's east coast can now redeem essential goods locally, avoiding the need to travel by boat to Semporna.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, following the expansion of Rakan Niaga SARA to Pulau Bum-Bum, residents can now redeem essential goods locally, reducing the need to travel to Semporna, where transport costs can range from RM20 to RM50.

Kampung Samal-Samal village chief Ahmad Pangiran, 60, said having a SARA partner retailer on the island had made a significant difference to its 535 residents, most of whom are fishermen and farmers who had to bear high transport costs to travel to Semporna town. Ahmad noted that the cost of travelling by boat to town is very high, while fuel on the island can cost as much as RM6 a litre. He emphasized that now, residents can redeem the aid closer to home, saving them both time and money.

According to him, items such as rice, sugar, flour, onions, and eggs are now well-stocked and easily accessible at local shops, helping to address the transport problems faced by communities living on Semporna's islands. Ahmad suggested that the SARA programme should be sustained and the network of partner retailers further expanded, with more essential goods considered for inclusion to serve island communities better.

Sabah has 1,495 SARA partner retailers, 32 of which are located in Semporna. Koperasi Anugerah Haji Badji on Pulau Bum-Bum is the 33rd SARA partner retailer in the district and the only one on the island. The SARA partner retailer on Pulau Bum-Bum benefits more than 25,000 residents eligible for the MADANI Government's SARA Appreciation Aid, including 3,300 who qualify for monthly SARA and Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR).

Arkah Uttok, 52, a housewife from Kampung Samal-Samal, expressed that residents were delighted to be able to redeem SARA at a local shop, as the assistance helped ease their daily household expenses. She noted that she normally used the aid to buy rice, flour, and eggs, but had previously faced costs of up to RM40 for a return trip to Semporna, covering the boat fare and the cost of transporting her purchases back home.

Datu Ahmad Datu Motalib, 43, from Kampung Samal-Samal, who works as a driver, expressed gratitude for SARA, which he described as a valuable initiative that helps B40 households manage rising living costs on the island. He also called for more baby items, including disposable nappies and infant formula, to be stocked at local SARA partner retailers.

Meanwhile, Roseyatimah Marahaban, 60, of Kampung Lok Kiba, welcomed the fact that the SARA partner retailer was only about three minutes from her home, making it easier for her to buy essential items, especially rice. She revealed that trips to Semporna town using her own boat cost as much as RM50 in fuel for a return journey, depending on sea conditions.

Housewife Elsah Otoh, 40, from Kampung Terusan Tengah, echoed the sentiment, saying a trip to Semporna town typically costs RM12 for boat and land transport, but could rise to more than RM30 once delivery charges for bringing the goods home were added. She expressed hope that daily necessities such as rice would continue to be stocked consistently to meet the needs of the island community.

Fisherman Damsal Abdullah, 39, of Kampung Seri Kurnia said the initiative had brought relief to island residents by reducing the financial and physical strain of travelling. He expressed hope that baby products and care essentials can also be added to local offerings to make things more convenient for families.