Sabah: Sabah has demonstrated a significant usage of MyKad for the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme, with 94 percent of recipients utilizing it for purchases at registered locations.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying announced that there are 506,000 SARA recipients, with an annual allocation of RM500 million. She highlighted that the number of registered grocery shops and supermarkets in the country has expanded to nearly 4,000 compared to 700 in the previous year. Specifically, in Sabah, over 430 premises are registered, with expectations for further increases to enhance access across all areas. Lim also mentioned that the government plans to enhance the scope of essential goods under the programme by adding domestic cleanliness products, such as soap, detergent, dishwashers, and floor cleaners, starting May 1.

During her visit to Beluran with Finance Ministry representatives, Lim emphasized the commitment to deliver financial aid and engage with the public. The visit focused on evaluating the implementation of the Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) alongside SARA and provided an opportunity for the government to assess the effectiveness of these aids and gather feedback, particularly from remote areas in Sabah. Lim noted the significant number of STR recipients without bank accounts, with 62,000 out of 830,000 in Sabah lacking banking facilities. In Beluran, nearly 400 recipients attended the STR cash payment programme due to the absence of bank accounts.

Furthermore, Lim disclosed that RM410 million has been allocated for Phase 1 and 2 of STR payments in Sabah, with additional payments scheduled for August and November. To address banking accessibility issues, a Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) initiative introduced a Mobile Bank Branch at the event, offering services such as deposits, withdrawals, and financial advice, thereby reducing the need for long-distance travel for rural residents in Beluran.