Pekan: The Rahmah Basic Contribution (SARA) goes beyond easing recipients' living costs, offering small traders crucial capital to boost their sales stock. Mohd Shukrillah Muhamed Norlida, 39, a trader in Nenasi, Pekan, said the aid had significantly eased his family's daily expenses and given extra capital for his business.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Shukrillah expressed gratitude for SARA, stating that it has been instrumental in purchasing daily necessities and providing additional assistance for his business. The RM100 one-off assistance has allowed him to acquire essential cooking supplies. He acknowledged that while some may consider the amount small, it provides significant relief by lowering operating costs for small businesses.

He emphasized that SARA helps in procuring items for his shop amidst rising prices. Even though he primarily uses it for his business, the aid proves invaluable for a trader like him.

Meanwhile, pensioner K. Ravendran, 65, noted the aid's usefulness during the Deepavali celebrations. His children, who returned from Kuala Lumpur for the festival, utilized SARA to purchase festive essentials, particularly cooking supplies.

Ravendran expressed his appreciation for the government's efforts to support not only low-income households but also the middle-income group. He acknowledged that while the aid might seem small, it is very beneficial, resonating with other families in similar situations.

On Dec 18, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan highlighted that states such as Perlis, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Pahang, and the Federal Territory of Labuan have recorded nearly 100 percent SARA uptake rates. Despite involving over 20 million consumer transactions, the government has not faced significant challenges in implementing SARA.