Charity drive: Bertam Mydin Mall employees putting up signs. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
Mydin drive channels RM100 relief into donations for those in need
BUTTERWORTH: Recipients of the RM100 Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) appreciation aid from the government may use it to help those in need, thanks to a popular hypermarket’s efforts.
Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd (Mydin) Malaysia’s northern region executive director Azmin Saduruddin said its “Kotak Sara Rahmah” buy-and-donate campaign is targeted to assist 200,000 underprivileged families across the country.
He said the initiative will begin tomorrow, and anyone interested in contributing can do so at any Mydin branch nationwide.
ALSO READ: 22 million MyKad holders can now check eligibility for Sara Appreciation Aid, says Finance Ministry
He said donors could choose Combo A or Combo B, which were pre-packed with essential items and could be purchased using the RM100 aid channelled into one’s Mykad.
The combos will then be donated directly to those in need, he said.
“Alternatively, they may also hand over items of their choice to us, and we will work with the Welfare Department to ensure the aid reaches its intended recipients,” Azmin said.
He added that the initiative was in line with the government’s call for increased community involvement in welfare programmes.
ALSO READ: All adult Malaysians to receive RM100 under Sara programme for Merdeka Day, says PM
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the one-off RM100 appreciation aid under the Sara programme for Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above, including existing Sara recipients.
The aid can be used from tomorrow to Dec 31, 2025, at more than 7,300 registered retail outlets nationwide to buy over 100,000 essential items across 14 categories, including staple foods like rice and eggs, hygiene products, medicines, school supplies and personal care items.
Recipients can also choose to use the aid for charitable purposes, such as purchasing essential goods to donate to NGOs, houses of worship, and those in need.
In anticipation of large crowds at Mydin outlets nationwide, Azmin said there will be additional cashier counters, with most able to process Sara transactions for recipients’ convenience.
He said Mydin has sufficient inventory of essential goods to support the campaign.
“There is sufficient stock nationwide to support the government’s RM100 cash aid redemption programme which can be used gradually until the end of the year.
Sunshine Wholesale Mart’s marketing communication manager Bryan Wong said the logistics and supply chain teams for the Sara Appreciation Aid are collaborating with suppliers to ensure that there are no shortages, particularly for high-demand items such as rice, cooking oil and dairy products.
He advised customers to plan their purchases wisely and visit stores early to avoid congestion.
“This initiative will certainly ease the burden of families.”
