KUALA LUMPUR – The use of MyKad to channel the RM100 one-off cash aid under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme will ensure the assistance reaches all eligible Malaysians directly and is spent only on essential items, said Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching.
She said the targeted mechanism enables Malaysians aged 18 and above to access the aid without going through complicated procedures, while also limiting its use to basic necessities.
By linking the disbursement to MyKad, Teo said, the government can prevent the funds from being used on non-essential or harmful items such as alcohol or cigarettes. She believes this approach increases both transparency and impact.
The RM2 billion initiative, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in conjunction with National Day 2025, is expected to benefit more than 22 million adults across the country.
Teo also welcomed the expansion of the Rahmah Madani Sales programme, with its allocation doubled from RM300 million to RM600 million, allowing more people – especially from the B40 group – to purchase goods at lower prices.
She shared her experience visiting a Rahmah sale in her constituency, where instant noodles were sold at RM3.70 per pack, noticeably cheaper than typical supermarket prices. Eggs and other essentials were also available at reduced rates, she added.
On the fuel subsidy targeting mechanism, Teo said setting the price of RON95 petrol at RM1.99 per litre for Malaysians is a timely move that ensures subsidies benefit only citizens.
She said it was important to prevent foreign nationals from enjoying the same subsidised rate, as the subsidy is meant to ease the burden on Malaysians alone.
Earlier, Anwar also announced the postponement of toll hikes for 10 highways as part of the government’s National Day appreciation package. – July 23, 2025