Kuala lumpur: The Basic Rahmah Contribution (SARA) has emerged as a lifeline for many workers, enabling them to purchase essential items without having to wait for their monthly salary.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, a cleaner named Semek @ Norliza Muda, aged 51, shared that prior to receiving SARA assistance, her household expenses were solely dependent on her monthly income, which often fell short of covering daily needs. Her family faces additional challenges, as her husband is physically disabled and unable to work due to health reasons, and she supports her youngest child, who is 15 years old and still in school. 'With this assistance, I can buy basic necessities such as rice and cooking oil at the supermarket without having to wait for payday,' she said when interviewed at a local supermarket.

Sales promoter Siti Fatimah Zakaria, 36, echoed similar sentiments, stating that SARA assistance helps alleviate the pressure of monthly expenses, particularly when waiting for her salary at month's end. 'This assistance can be used to buy kitchen essentials while waiting for the salary to be credited. It helps ensure that our family's basic needs are always met,' she remarked.

Meanwhile, Emma Yong, 38, a housewife and SARA recipient under the household category, noted that the assistance she has been receiving since last April has significantly reduced her family's financial burden, especially when it comes to purchasing basic items like milk and rice. 'SARA has at least eased our monthly expenses. Thank you to the government for caring about low-income households,' said the mother of five, expressing hope for an increase in the amount of SARA assistance, which she believes provides meaningful support to families in genuine need.

Previously, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan revealed that a total of RM3.66 billion had been utilized by 98 per cent of monthly SARA recipients nationwide to purchase necessities using MyKad as of last November 3. He further added that during the same period, 100 per cent of aid recipients in Perlis, Sabah, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah had used the assistance to buy essential goods.