SARA Helps People Prepare For Chinese New Year, Ramadan
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysians nationwide began benefiting today from the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) for All initiative, helping them prepare for the upcoming Chinese New Year and Ramadan.
Many recipients also expressed appreciation for receiving the MADANI Government initiative for the second time, having benefited from the one-off RM100 assistance last year. The latest expansion of SARA for All to include frozen food has given them a wider range of choices.
More than 22 million Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above are receiving SARA for All today, with the assistance credited to their MyKad and usable at registered outlets for selected essential items until Dec 31.
Nancy Cheong, 75, said the expansion of the SARA categories to include frozen food is a practical decision that addresses household needs.
“Adding frozen food items gives consumers more choices and makes it easier for us to buy what is truly needed, thereby reducing daily expenses,” she said when met at a supermarket in Subang Jaya near here.
Food vendor A. Sujita, 46, visited the supermarket with four family members to use the aid to purchase essentials for her 10-member household.
“SARA helps us buy kitchen essentials like rice, sugar, and oil. If there is any balance left, I use it for business supplies such as vermicelli and noodles, so I don't have to fork out a large amount of capital,” she said, adding that she earns about RM300 daily from her business.
In KEDAH, Tan Ooi Meng, 68, from Taman Wira Mergong, Alor Setar, used the credit to buy food items such as rice, oil, and sugar in preparation for his four children returning home for the Chinese New Year celebrations.
“I came early this morning before the crowd arrived. The payment system was smooth and the staff were helpful, especially in assisting senior citizens who may be less familiar with the technology,” he said.
Single mother Noor Atiqah Effendi, 42, from Taman Orkid, Pendang, said the aid is especially meaningful as she prepares for Ramadan next week.
“I work at a grocery store, so my income is barely enough for my three children. I was worried about Ramadan because I recently spent much of my money on their school needs.
“Some might say RM100 is a small amount, but for me, it is enough to cover our needs during the fasting month. I use it for essential food items like rice, oil, onions, and chicken,” she said.
In NEGERI SEMBILAN, housewife Nurhaniza Abdul Ghafar, 38, said the variety of items available allowed her to buy frozen food, such as nuggets, for her children.
“Last year, I only bought basic items like rice and formula milk, but this time I could buy nuggets as food stock,” said the mother of three children aged between two and 15.
In PAHANG, Badrul Hisham Mahmud, 47, from Permatang Badak, Kuantan, described SARA for All as a lifeline, adding that he would use the aid to manage his expenses effectively.
“This initiative is good as it saves on family expenses. The expanded category for frozen products also makes it easier to prepare meals during the fasting month, especially for sahur (pre-dawn meal),” he said.
In KELANTAN, first-semester university student Amir Asyraf Mohd Rizaludin, 21, said he and his two older brothers, who also received the aid, would use the benefit to buy Ramadan essentials.
“In addition to my parents, my two older brothers and I also received SARA aid, bringing our family's total assistance to RM500. This aid not only eases our family's burden but also gives young people the opportunity to contribute to their households,” he said at a supermarket in Pasir Tumboh, Kota Bharu.
-- BERNAMA
