KUALA LUMPUR: A study is underway to evaluate a proposal to expand the MyKad-based digital ecosystem by integrating it with the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) system, with the aim of enhancing identity verification in the sale of subsidised cooking oil, says Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan (pic).
The Finance Minister II said the ministry was working closely with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to further stem subsidy leakages by incorporating MyKad with the Cooking Oil Price Stabilisation Scheme system.
“Further assessment is being undertaken to expand the use of the existing MyKad-based ecosystem, including integration with the Sara system, to strengthen identity verification in monitoring the sale of subsidised cooking oil,” he said in response to a supplementary question from Tebrau MP Jimmy Puah on whether the government plans to replicate the success of the Budi Madani (Budi95) subsidy coordination mechanism for other goods such as cooking oil and sugar.
This approach, Amir Hamzah added, leverages existing infrastructure without introducing additional burdens on the rakyat while ensuring that only eligible Malaysian citizens benefit from subsidies.
On Wednesday, the Budi95 targeted subsidy was projected to generate savings of up to RM2.5bil this year.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the projected savings would stem from curbing leakages associated with blanket fuel subsidies while maintaining price stability for the majority of Malaysians.
On a separate matter, Amir Hamzah said more than 14.6 million Malaysians have benefited from the Budi95 targeted fuel subsidy mechanism as of Feb 11, underscoring the effectiveness of the government’s MyKad-based subsidy rationalisation framework.
He said the system processes an average of 3.1 million transactions daily without disruption, adding that the high utilisation rate demonstrates that the MyKad mechanism is stable.
“This effectiveness is further reinforced by the implementation of Sara 2025, which recorded a 99% utilisation rate via MyKad.
“This confirms that the MyKad-based approach is user-friendly,” he said.
Amir Hamzah also said the government is aiming to complete tax refund payments for the Year of Assessment 2023 by this month.
The minister said the government inherited a substantial amount of outstanding tax refund arrears but it will continue to discharge its responsibility in managing tax refund cases.
As of Feb 10, a total of RM5.4bil in refunds involving 38,629 cases has already been disbursed.
Total tax refunds disbursed last year were at their highest amount in five years at RM22.45bil.
