Bukit Mertajam, 15 September 2025 — The roll-out of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) appreciation aid is progressing well, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has said, with initial teething issues resolved and beneficiaries generally able to redeem essential goods without disruptions.
At a visit to SH Bistari Supermarket in Bukit Mertajam, Fahmi said that the programme’s implementation has stabilized. He observed that an average of 150 to 200 people come daily to redeem goods under the initiative, and that the first week’s redemption rate at the supermarket was “very positive.”
Everything from stock availability to labelling has been satisfactory, he affirmed. “There is plenty of rice and more than enough eggs. I found the implementation of this programme to be going well without any disruption,” he said.
The SARA aid, a one-off RM100 credit given to all Malaysian citizens aged 18 and older, was launched on 31 August 2025. Its purpose is to help with the cost of living by allowing recipients to redeem basic household necessities, such as rice, eggs, and other essential food items.
Fahmi also emphasized that using MyKad for redemption helps ensure that only eligible recipients benefit from the programme, reducing the risk of misuse or fraud. “In Malaysia, MyKad holders will use their own card, so there is no issue of misallocation. This makes the method very suitable,” he said during his supermarket visit.
When asked about extending this mechanism to other welfare programmes, Fahmi disclosed that the MyKad-based approach may also be employed for the upcoming RON95 fuel subsidy priced at RM1.99 per litre, which could likewise be restricted to Malaysian citizens using MyKad.
Public feedback has been positive so far. Several shoppers Fahmi met at the supermarket voiced appreciation for how smoothly the redemption process has been running. Some had initially expressed concerns over system glitches or lack of stock, but Fahmi said these early issues have largely been resolved.
Overall, the SARA programme appears to be hitting its marks in its early phase — offering relief to Malaysians facing rising costs of living, while maintaining safeguards to ensure the aid is delivered fairly and transparently.
