Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says over 12.5 million people have used RM1 billion in SARA aid for essentials within three weeks of its launch.

PUTRAJAYA: More than 12.5 million Malaysians have benefited from the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) untuk Semua programme, with expenditures exceeding RM1 billion for the purchase of basic necessities within just three weeks.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the programme’s success proves that savings from more disciplined national financial management can now be channelled directly to the people.

“Leakages are plugged, governance is streamlined, and the saved revenue is returned to the people,” he said in a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance.

He added that this demonstrates equitable revenue distribution benefits households nationwide.

The Ministry of Finance noted that sales on the first day of SARA untuk Semua this year reached RM97 million.

This figure is nearly double the RM50.7 million recorded on the first day of the programme last year.

Minister of Finance II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the system’s fluidity has been ensured to avoid public disruption.

“From 3,782 transactions per minute on the first day last year, the system now processes over 11,000 transactions per minute without delays,” he said.

The use of MyKad has made it easier for the public to utilise this targeted aid efficiently.

It also ensures the distribution process is conducted in an orderly manner.

To date, 56% of the RM100 credit under the programme has been used by recipients for basic necessities.

The remaining credit is still valid for use until December 31.

In terms of geographic distribution, redemption rates are higher in the Borneo zone and East Coast and northern Peninsular Malaysia.

Sabah recorded the highest redemption rate at 70%, followed by Perlis at 65%.

Kelantan and Labuan each recorded 64%, while Terengganu and Kedah recorded 63%.

Sarawak recorded a 62% redemption rate, and Pahang recorded 60%.

The SARA programme helps reduce cost-of-living pressures and supports local economic activities.

The SARA Business Partner network includes over 4,400 small retail shops nationwide, in addition to existing supermarkets.

This brings the total number of premises accepting SARA transactions to over 11,300.

The government aims to increase the number of small retail shops to 10,000 by year’s end.

This would increase the total number of SARA Business Partners to 20,000 premises.

This step is expected to reduce the average distance to SARA-accepting premises to around seven kilometres.

The current average distance is about 10 kilometres, making access easier for the public.

 The Sun Malaysia