Amir hamzah: The number of Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) business partners nationwide has increased to 14,068 premises as of August 7, compared with about 700 when the programme was introduced in 2024. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan highlighted the importance of this expansion to ensure that the targeted cash assistance provided by the government reaches recipients more efficiently and is available closer to their communities.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Amir Hamzah stated that the government is committed to further widening the SARA business partner network across the nation. This effort aims to ensure that the assistance not only increases in value but also remains accessible to all eligible recipients, thereby benefiting their daily lives.
Amir Hamzah explained that of the total SARA business partners nationwide, 1,495 premises are located in Sabah, with 32 in Semporna and 115 in Tawau. The utilisation of SARA in Sabah has shown significant results, with RM501.2 million from the SARA Monthly allocation spent by 815,689 recipients as of August 7.
Meanwhile, the SARA For All category in Sabah recorded RM158.9 million in utilisation, accounting for 88 percent of the allocation, involving 1.8 million recipients during the same period. Amir Hamzah noted that the high transaction rate in Sabah demonstrates that remote locations and geographical challenges do not hinder people from utilising the assistance credited directly to their MyKad.
Amir Hamzah also mentioned that the range of products available under the SARA system has been expanded to over 140,000 essential items, including groceries, personal hygiene products, and frozen food such as chicken and nuggets. The government has facilitated the participation of small retailers and village cooperatives by providing free point-of-sale (POS) systems, removing the need for traders to purchase the equipment.
He emphasized that the increase in the combined allocation for Rahmah Cash Assistance (STR) and SARA from RM10 billion in 2024 to RM15 billion this year showcases the government's commitment to strengthening the people's social safety net. Amir Hamzah assured that the government would continue identifying rural and island areas facing access challenges to ensure no target groups are excluded from benefiting under SARA.