RM100 SARA Aid Support Underprivileged Families

21 September 2025

KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities, Datuk Chan Foong Hin, together with his Private Secretary, Kaven Lee, contributed RM100 in Penghargaan Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) aid to help six underprivileged families in Kota Kinabalu purchase daily necessities, easing their household expenses.

The contribution was made yesterday during the National Malaysia Healthy Agenda Roadshow and Malaysia Health & Happiness Month celebration at Likas Bay Public Park. In conjunction with the programme, a Jualan Rahmah promotion was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), offering essential goods such as rice, cooking oil, noodles, biscuits, and sugar at affordable prices for the local community.

In response to the call by Transport Minister and DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke, Chan, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kota Kinabalu, and Kaven Lee accompanied six families from Taman Keramat, Kota Kinabalu, to purchase necessities using the RM100 SARA aid during the Rahmah sales event.

Chan explained that the RM100 SARA cash assistance is part of the MADANI Government’s pro-people initiative, with an allocation of RM2 billion. The aid is credited directly to recipients’ MyKad and can be used to purchase items across 14 categories of essential goods at more than 7,300 participating shops and supermarkets nationwide, with the number of outlets expected to increase over time.

“This initiative effectively helps to reduce household expenses while stimulating the market economy. The assistance is valid until 31 December this year, so I encourage all recipients to make full use of it within the next three months,” he said.

He further encouraged recipients who are financially able to consider purchasing daily necessities with their SARA credit and donating them to others in greater need, thereby extending the spirit of compassion and care within the community.

Chan also referred to the recent announcement by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution, following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s decision to reduce the price of RON95 petrol to RM1.99 per litre at the end of this month. He urged the public to use their MyKad when making purchases, noting that this would also help ensure the chip functions properly.

“This verification is necessary for Malaysians to benefit from targeted fuel subsidies. If the MyKad chip is damaged or unreadable, replacements can be easily obtained at any National Registration Department branch or service counter nationwide,” he added.