THE state government should “top up” a further RM100 to the Federal Government’s Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) assistance to cushion rising cost of living for households, government backbenchers chairman Datuk Masiung Banah proposed.
Masiung said the move would effectively raise monthly aid to RM200 for nearly 498,000 targeted recipients in Sabah, helping families cope with inflationary pressures triggered by global oil price hikes and supply chain disruptions.
“If the state has sufficient financial resources, this additional RM100 will be a meaningful relief for our rakyat,” he said in his debate on the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman’s opening speech.
Masiung (GRS-Kuamut) said other broader measures to help Sabahans from economic uncertainties was to put in place loan moratoriums for B40 and M40 borrowers, as well as for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) if the global crisis persists.
He urged for more firm price control enforcement under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 and Supply Control Act 1991 to curb profiteering and manipulation of subsidised goods.
