SARA Spurs Economic Activity Across Sabah’s Business Chain

SEMPORNA, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- The Rahmah Basic Contribution (SARA) initiative is generating a wider economic impact in Sabah, with retailers, wholesalers and local manufacturers recording higher sales as more businesses join the programme and locally made products are included under its redemption list.

The expansion of SARA Merchant Partners, which now involves 1,495 businesses in Sabah, together with the “Kami Support Produk Lokal Sabah” initiative, has increased sales among local entrepreneurs by between 50 and 80 per cent while strengthening demand for locally produced goods.

Chairman of Koperasi Anugerah Haji Badli, Sobri Lawdji, said joining the SARA Merchant Partner programme late last year had significantly benefited the cooperative, which was established in early 2024 and is the only SARA Merchant Partner on Pulau Bum-Bum, Semporna.

He said daily sales rose sharply, especially at the beginning of each month when recipients received their assistance, with essential items such as rice, sugar, cooking oil, flour and onions among the best-selling products.

“Supplies have never run out, including during festive seasons, as we ensure sufficient stocks are prepared in advance,” he told Bernama.

Sobri said the initiative had benefited more than 25,000 residents on the island who are eligible for SARA For All, including 3,300 recipients eligible for SARA Monthly and the Rahmah Cash Aid (STR).

He added that the cooperative also organised Rahmah MADANI Sales to support island residents, many of whom work as fishermen and face income challenges during periods of strong winds.

Sobri hoped SARA would continue and that its allocation could be increased to further empower local retailers while easing the burden on island communities.

He said previously, residents had to spend up to RM50 on transport to travel by boat for about 15 minutes to Semporna town to purchase essential goods.

Meanwhile, Dpro Trading Sdn Bhd director in Tawau, Tham Nyuk Lin, said the wholesale and retail business, which she has operated since 2017, recorded encouraging sales growth after joining SARA late last year.

She said customers’ purchasing power increased significantly whenever the assistance was distributed, with rice being the most sought-after item, followed by sugar, cooking oil and local products.

Besides direct sales to consumers, her Tawau premises also attracted small retailers who purchased bulk supplies worth between RM500 and RM600 for resale.

“Our shop offers affordable prices, so small traders prefer to source their supplies here. This allows them to resell the goods or use them to produce other products at lower prices in their respective areas,” she said.

Tham said overall supplies at the store remained sufficient, with only minimal delays caused by disruptions in supplier deliveries.

She hoped the SARA programme would continue as it had helped boost local businesses while enabling lower-income groups to obtain essential goods.

For local manufacturers, Rich Inspiration Sdn Bhd marketing officer Arsiyati Mando said the listing of the company’s products under SARA had further increased sales for the Tawau-based business.

She said several essential products under the local brand Magic Cook, including corn flour, tapioca flour, soy sauce and sauces, have been included in the SARA product list since the initiative was introduced by the government in August last year.

“Participation in SARA has greatly supported our company, especially amid the current economic situation. The increase in sales is evident as customers prioritise products that can be purchased through the programme,” she said.

Arsiyati said the initiative provided dual benefits by helping B40 households obtain quality kitchen essentials while supporting the growth of Sabah’s local manufacturing sector.

She hoped the government would continue SARA and expand the range of local products eligible for redemption to create more growth opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

-- BERNAMA