Rural Residents, Felda Traders Benefit From SARA

By Ainul Durmahyanty Durming

LAHAD DATU, Jan 1 (Bernama) -- The one-off RM100 Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) aid introduced by the MADANI Government has not only provided direct benefits to recipients but also created a healthy economic cycle in rural areas, including FELDA settlements.

Checks by Bernama at Felda Sahabat, Tungku, located about 100 kilometres from Lahad Datu town, found that sales transactions among small traders registered under the SARA programme in the oil palm plantation area had also increased following the implementation of SARA.

Grocery shop owner at Felda Sahabat 07, Muhd Hairun Sah Hakim, 33, said that since his shop became a business partner for the assistance programme, there has been a significant increase in purchase transactions recorded at his premises.

“As a registered trader, I think SARA is very helpful in terms of sales and income. My goods sell faster compared to before SARA was introduced.

“After SARA was implemented, my business volume jumped from 100 to 1,000 transactions a month,” he told Bernama.

Muhd Hairun Sah said that initially there were some minor issues with the SARA system, but over time improvements were made and to date the system not only makes things easier for shopkeepers but also greatly helps SARA recipients choose their essential goods.

“When customers come to the shop, they know which items can be purchased by scanning the product codes using the MyKasih application. After that, they go to the counter with their MyKad for payment (transaction), then a purchase receipt is issued to the customer and another receipt is kept for the shop’s records,” he added.

According to Muhd Hairun Sah, many of his customers were from the B40 group in Kampung Tanjung Labian and Tambisan, and the main items they usually bought included rice, cooking oil, flour and sugar.

“We think we ourselves are struggling, but it turns out there are others who are worse off. I have heard several customers express their gratitude for this SARA assistance, as it allows them to put food on the table and buy milk for their children. Situations like this truly touch people.

“My hope is that the government will continue the SARA assistance because it benefits both traders like me and the people who are facing rising living costs, and ensures that the aid reaches the targeted groups,” he said.

SARA recipient Karina Popong, 50, said the RM100 assistance credited by the government to her MyKad has been very helpful in easing her family’s burden in obtaining basic household necessities.

“I’m truly happy to receive the RM100 SARA assistance because it helps reduce daily expenses. I hope the government will continue this assistance. My husband and I use the SARA aid to buy kitchen necessities such as rice and sugar,” said the housewife.

Another recipient, grocery shop worker Umie Atiqah Amin Yusof, 25, said she uses the SARA assistance to buy necessities for her child.

“When the SARA assistance comes in, the first thing that comes to mind is definitely my child -- children’s necessities such as formula milk and disposable diapers,” she said.

-- BERNAMA