Struggling Families Grateful As Expanded SARA Aid Eases Burden

By Khatijah Jistoh

TAWAU, July 20 (Bernama) -- New recipient of Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), Deon Marhansa, 40, expressed his deep gratitude and said the aid has been a crucial lifeline for his family.

"My salary sometimes comes in late, so with SARA, I can buy essentials like rice, eggs, and cooking oil earlier in the month. I then use my salary to cover other household needs. This government assistance means a lot, and I hope it continues every year," he told Bernama.

Working at an automotive workshop, Deon said he fully utilises the assistance to purchase daily necessities and school supplies for his children.

"I started receiving SARA in April. Before this, I only received the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR). I’m truly thankful to the MADANI Government," he added.

Deon is among 4.7 million existing STR recipients who have benefited from the expanded SARA programme, as announced in Budget 2025.

Effective April 1, 2025, the initiative, aimed at supporting those in genuine need, was expanded beyond the initial 700,000 recipients under the eKasih database, increasing the total number of beneficiaries to 5.4 million.

Meanwhile, Hamidi Lamit, 45, from Kampung Selamat, Kunak, said using the MyKad as a payment medium has made transactions easier and more secure.

“With MyKad, there's no need to queue at the bank to withdraw cash, we can go straight to the shop and buy groceries. 

“Through SARA, I’ve been able to buy quite a lot, essentials like rice, eggs, cooking oil, and canned food such as sardines,” said Hamidi, who works as a grass cutter.

Another recipient, Amad Supardi, 41, who works at a factory in Balung, said the assistance has helped reduce a significant portion of his family’s monthly grocery expenses.

"I used to set aside about RM300 a month for groceries, but with SARA, I’ve been able to save. The first things I buy using the aid via MyKad are rice, cooking oil, eggs, noodles, soap and toothpaste.

"I have a wife and four school-going children to support, and I’m truly grateful to the government for providing aid like STR and SARA. I hope more items, such as chicken and vegetables, will be included in the future," he said.

Housewife Asmah Labade, 38, said the aid received by her husband, a fisherman, has allowed them to purchase medicines and school supplies for their children.

"Besides rice, eggs, tea, cooking oil and instant noodles, I also bought medicines like Panadol and medicated oil for the whole family, including my in-laws, as well as pencils and exercise books for the children," said Asmah, who lives in Kampung Pangkalan, Kunak.

In Lahad Datu, another housewife, Marchela Bongsu, 35, from Taman Warisan, also hopes that the SARA programme will be continued.

"The SARA assistance has really helped ease the burden on my husband, who works as an e-hailing driver with an unstable income. We've been receiving this aid for nine months now, and it has given us some breathing room.

"I also sell traditional cakes to support my husband, and the flour I use comes from the SARA aid. I'm truly grateful for this government assistance, it means a great deal to families like ours with irregular incomes," she said.

Under Budget 2025, allocations for the STR and SARA programmes have increased to RM13 billion, up from RM10 billion the previous year. The annual SARA aid has also been raised to RM2,100 this year from RM1,200 previously.

This initiative aligns with the MADANI Economic Framework, which focuses on empowering low-income households through equitable opportunities, improved living standards and robust social protection.

To further improve accessibility, the government has expanded the list of eligible items under SARA to 14 categories and increased the number of participating grocery stores and supermarkets to over 4,100 nationwide as of July 2025, up from only 700 last year. 

-- BERNAMA