Kuala lumpur: Many Malaysians seized the opportunity over the weekend to buy essential goods at supermarkets and other premises nationwide using the RM100 Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) one-off aid, which was credited to their MyKad, starting today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, thirty-six-year-old factory worker Norisa Ramli expressed relief upon receiving the SARA aid, as it allowed her to purchase daily necessities while awaiting her monthly salary. She mentioned plans to utilize her husband’s RM100 allocation for essentials such as milk, flour, and chili sauce, with her own aid set aside for future use.
Meanwhile, Hasan Abdul Ghani, 76, shared his intention to use part of the aid for personal needs and donate the remainder to others in greater need. Mydin Subang Jaya has facilitated this process by setting up 20 counters equipped with MyKad scanning machines provided by the MyKasih Foundation.
In Perak, 68-year-old Yong Chee Seng highlighted how the aid provided him some leeway in managing his monthly expenses, including rent and utility bills. He noted that while RM100 is not a substantial sum, it still allows him to purchase a variety of essential items.
In Kelantan, small trader Mohd Azlan Salleh from Pasir Puteh found the aid beneficial for planning his spending, particularly for his children’s school needs. He appreciated that village grocery stores were also part of the initiative, ensuring rural communities were not excluded.
In Perlis, Nur Ayuni Shahali, a student, acknowledged the aid’s role in helping her manage monthly expenses amidst rising living costs. Civil servant Nurul Aida Othman expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the initiative, which she believes demonstrates concern for the people’s daily needs.
Finally, in Sarawak, lorry driver James Gadul plans to save the aid for Christmas expenses, viewing the RM100 as a valuable contribution towards reducing festive costs.
SARA RM100 is a one-time cash assistance given to all Malaysians aged 18 and above without requiring an application. It can be utilized at over 7,000 registered business premises nationwide until the end of the year.