Highest amount of SARA aid goes to Sabah, says Armizan

Highest amount of SARA aid goes to Sabah, says Armizan

A total of RM492 million has been allocated for 497,815 recipients in Sabah, who will each receive RM200 per month.

Armizan Mohd Ali (second right) with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at a cost-of-living campaign in Subang Jaya last week. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA:
Sabah has been allocated the highest amount of aid in the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) scheme, with a total allocation of more than RM392 million, according to a federal minister.

A total of 497,815 people in Sabah will receive monthly handouts this year, said domestic trade and cost of living minister Armizan Mohd Ali.

The number of SARA recipients in the country will increase from 700,000 to 5.4 million in April, while the aid amount will double to RM200 per month.

SARA aid will be paid into recipients’ e-wallet in their MyKad which can be used to buy food and essential goods at selected shops.

“A total of 424 business partners, including supermarkets and retail shops in Sabah, are on board,” he said. SARA recipients buy goods in 13 categories, including personal hygiene items, medicines, school supplies, food, and others.

Armizan said he welcomed initiatives from the state government in tackling the issue of the rising cost of living.

“For example, the Sentuhan Kasih Rakyat Sabah (Syukur) introduced by the Sabah state government provides a RM300 monthly handout to 100,000 recipients in the poor and hardcore poor categories,” he said in a statement today.

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