Kuala lumpur: The number of partner shops under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme has increased to 9,200 nationwide, Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying announced. This marks a significant growth compared to 700 shops in 2024. These premises include supermarkets, grocery shops, cooperative stores, and mini markets located in urban, rural, and interior areas, allowing more recipients to conveniently access SARA assistance.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, over 5.3 million SARA recipients have utilized their MyKad to purchase essential goods at registered premises. This reflects a utilization rate of nearly 99 percent, with total spending reaching RM4 billion. To enhance accessibility, particularly in rural and interior areas, the SARA programme is combined with the Jualan Rahmah initiative, enabling recipients to buy essential items at reduced prices using their MyKad at SARA partner premises, most of which are privately owned grocery shops.

During a Dewan Rakyat special chambers session, Lim responded to a query from Nurul Amin Hamid (PN-Padang Terap) regarding measures to ensure small retailers in village areas benefit from the programme. She explained that the approval of SARA partner premises considers the number of recipients in a given area and includes a minimum distance requirement of 10 kilometers to ensure reasonable access.

Lim further mentioned that engagement sessions with associations and relevant agencies are underway to encourage greater participation from private grocery shops and corporate retailers. On the eligibility requirements for SARA partners, premises must be legally registered and licensed, accept payment via MyKad, maintain sufficient stock of SARA-listed items with proper labeling, and comply with specified payment rules.

She noted that applications from small retailers are often rejected because their premises do not sell at least 70 percent of the 14 SARA item categories, are located far from residential areas, or sell goods at prices higher than the market.