The clock is ticking: A smartphone screen showing the RM100 Sara allocation, which will end tomorrow. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PETALING JAYA: As the Dec 31 deadline nears for the RM100 Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) scheme, shoppers are making last-minute trips to supermarkets to avoid missing out.
Treasury secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican said more than 90% of this year’s Sara allocation has been utilised, though the Finance Ministry will only issue a formal statement after Dec 31.
Daira D., a manager from Subang, said she only spent her RM100 yesterday, having overlooked it until now.
ALSO READ : Broad range of options for M’sians
“I also used my husband’s and father’s MyKad. Altogether, I spent the total of RM300 on eligible items and some diapers for janitors whom I know can’t afford to buy them,” she said.
She hopes future initiatives will come with earlier reminders to avoid last-minute shopping.
A shopper who wished to be known only as Chan, 27, also from Subang, had a balance of RM11.
“Today is my first time using the RM100 as I had no time to shop and didn’t want to queue with the crowd earlier. I spent RM89 buying dried ingredients and snacks for my family.
“I hope the programme can be expanded to cover fresh items such as vegetables and poultry,” she said, adding that she might spend the remaining balance tomorrow at a nearby mini market.
Homemaker Nor Amalina Kamaruddin, 31, said she and her husband used their RM200 yesterday to buy snacks and baby essentials.
“We have been very busy taking care of our children, including our four-month-old baby. So we overlooked the RM200 and wanted to use it before the deadline.
“I hope the government can send reminders about remaining balances and expand coverage to other goods like vegetables,” Nor Amalina added.
Angela Lim, 49, from Petaling Jaya, used her father’s RM100 yesterday.
“My father is not very mobile, so I used his RM100 for him. I already used my own RM100 earlier,” she said.
Lim also suggested that more counters at participating supermarkets remain open until the programme ends.
“I waited at the counter for over 30 minutes because the system was slow and there were few counters. Having more counters open until the deadline would ease congestion,” she added.
In Johor Baru, civil servant Ain Najihah Ahmad Mazlan, 26, said her Sara credit is still untouched.
“After my friends reminded me not to waste it, I plan to buy necessities such as rice, soap, flour and personal care items to stock up for the new year.
“I waited until the very end because I was busy and prefer to shop during a longer holiday period to avoid crowds,” she said.
She added that the Sara scheme helps with expense management, especially in urban areas, and suggested covering more items and extending the validity period.
Retail assistant S. Mageswary, 42, plans to use her remaining RM60.
“I had spent a portion on rice, cooking oil and detergent. I kept the rest for emergencies but with the expiry date nearing, I will stock up on other household items,” she said.
Mageswary said while she appreciates the Sara credit, rising costs and inconsistent supermarket pricing remain a concern.
Lawyer Lim San Shien, 25, said the initiative eases people’s burden and stimulates the local economy.
“It educates the public, especially youth, on financial literacy and smart spending.
“Extensions of the programme can always be reviewed, particularly to uplift the underprivileged and prioritise welfare,” he said.
Lim aims to spend his remaining RM80 on basic foodstuff.
