Pulau Bum-Bum Residents Gain Local Access To SARA Assistance With New Partner Retailer

SEMPORNA, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- 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.

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.

“The cost of travelling by boat to town is very high, while fuel on the island can cost as much as RM6 a litre. Now, residents can redeem the aid closer to home, saving them both time and money,” he told Bernama.

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 said 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, said residents were delighted to be able to redeem SARA at a local shop, as the assistance helped ease their daily household expenses.

She said 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.

“We no longer have to make the trip to town and can now buy our daily essentials here without worrying about expensive transport costs,” she said, expressing hope that the range of SARA-eligible goods would be expanded to include more fresh produce, particularly vegetables.

Datu Ahmad Datu Motalib, 43, from Kampung Samal-Samal, who works as a driver, said he was thankful for SARA, which he described as a valuable initiative that helps B40 households manage rising living costs on the island.

The father of a one-year-old also called for more baby items, including disposable nappies and infant formula, to be stocked at local SARA partner retailers and made available for redemption.

“Other everyday essentials are sufficient, but having baby products available would greatly benefit parents with young children on the island,” he said, noting that the nearby SARA shop made it easier for him to shop without having to bear extra costs.

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.

“The range of essential goods at the local shop is sufficient for our daily needs, so we have greater peace of mind without having to travel by boat to town frequently,” she said, hoping the high-impact programme would continue for the convenience of residents on the island.

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.

“Alhamdulillah, having this facility in our own village has been a great help. We no longer need to travel to town as essential goods are readily available here,” she said, expressing 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.

“It is much easier now and saves time. I hope baby products and care essentials can also be added here to make things more convenient for families,” said the father of a six-month-old.

-- BERNAMA