Year-long Rahmah cash aid timely for the needy

GEORGE TOWN: With an additional RM100 to spend on essential items every month for one year, food caterer Nurul Hasmah Idris can now look forward to better days ahead.

Nurul Hasmah Idris, 36, who lost her factory job three years ago, said although the aid under Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) was not a lot, it was still significant for her family of five.

“My husband is a security guard and I only cook for customers whenever there is an order. I don’t have the ability to prepare for a larger group of people.

“Three of our children are schooling and we have been bogged down by financial constraints since I lost my job.

“Each month, there isn’t any money left to save. Sometimes, we even don’t have enough food on the table.

“The RM100 amount can ease our burden on basic food items and ingredients. It can go a long way for the family,” she said.

The Sara aid is distributed at a rate of RM100 a month for Peninsular Malaysia recipients; while for Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, it will be credited in a lump sum to their Bank Simpanan Nasional accounts.

For Peninsular Malaysia residents, the aid will be channelled automatically via MyKad, which will be used to open an account at the selected premises.

During the tabling of Budget 2024 yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the number of recipients for Sara would be increased from 200,000 to 700,000 and they would receive a monthly sum of RM100 for one year.

Previously, recipients received RM100 for six months only.

Anwar also announced that nine million recipients would get a RM600 increase in Rahmah Cash Aid to RM3,700, up from RM3,100.

Desa Wawasan Apartments Community Association chairman Sanusi Ahmad said low-income residents in the area would benefit from the increase.

“There are about 2,000 residents from about 700 families living here, with almost all of them receiving either one or both aid.

“This will especially benefit them during festivals as people of various races live and celebrate it together here,” he said.