Within reach: The Madani Rahmah Sales programme offers savings of between 10% and 30% on selected daily necessities. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
IPOH: The expansion of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) programme to include 10,000 small traders and sundry shop operators in villages is expected to strengthen the micro-economy while improving access to essential goods in rural areas, says the Perak Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Its president Amirudin Tajudin said the initiative will make it easier for locals to buy essential goods, which in turn will help boost sales for small traders.
The government’s move to hold the Madani Rahmah Sales programme three times a month in each state constituency was welcomed, too, he said in a statement, Bernama reported.
With more than 23,000 Madani Rahmah Sales programmes set to be held, he said the initiative would enable basic necessities to be sold at prices lower than those in the local market.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his New Year address on Monday, announced the expansion of the Madani Rahmah Sales programme to include small traders such as sundry shop operators.
The move is aimed at reaching villagers who have yet to be registered under the existing system.
Anwar also said the Madani Rahmah Sales programme would begin on Jan 9 and be held three times a month in each state constituency.
This would involve 600 state constituencies and 40 locations in the Federal Territories.
Launched on Jan 11, 2023, the programme is part of the Payung Rahmah initiatives by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, offering savings of between 10% and 30% on selected daily necessities.
In KUALA LUMPUR, Bernama also reported that families are relieved with the continuation of the early schooling aid (BAP), which provides RM150 per child to ease the financial burden.
Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said the assistance provided much-needed relief for parents, particularly those with limited disposable income.
“Early schooling aid allows parents to plan ahead and equip their children with basic school necessities without last-minute financial stress.
“This also helps children start school on a more equal footing with their peers.”
However, Noor Azimah said the initiative “addresses only immediate needs and must be complemented by longer-term education affordability strategies”.The aid should be seen as a foundational support, not a substitute for broader measures to address the rising cost of education, she added.
Noor Azimah said she hoped that the government would take a more holistic approach to supporting families and students throughout the academic year.
“PAGE hopes the government will adopt a family-centred approach that supports students throughout the school year, not just at entry points.
“Parents also expect sustained investment in school quality, teacher support and student well-being,” she said.
Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education president Mak Chee Kin said the assistance, though modest, sends an important signal that education remains a national priority.
He said continuing the aid had a positive impact, particularly for low and middle-income households, especially with rising living costs, where even a one-off contribution could help ease the burden of school-related expenses.
“It may not solve deeper structural issues in education but it provides immediate relief at a critical time for families.
“This assistance helps parents make early preparations for their children’s schooling by covering basic necessities such as uniform, shoes, stationery, school bags and other essential items.”
“The inclusion of Form Six students this year was particularly welcomed,” he added.
However, he said requiring parents to be physically present at schools to receive the aid might inconvenience working parents, single parents and those in rural areas, and urged more flexible and efficient distribution methods to avoid long waiting times.
Atiqah Zulkhairi, 30, a public servant with two children aged nine and seven in Putrajaya, said the aid had helped ease the family’s financial burden, particularly at the beginning of the school term when costs for school supplies are high.
“With the continuation of the assistance announced by the government, the budget allocated by parents can be utilised more effectively, helping us to plan our finances better,” she added.
On Monday, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, announced an RM800mil allocation to provide a one-off BAP of RM150 to all students from Year One to Form Six this year.
The Education Ministry said the BAP distribution would begin at schools as early as Jan 11.
