Fomca says retailers and government agencies must collaborate to ensure adequate supply for SARA beneficiaries.

PETALING JAYA: The authorities have been urged to monitor the 3,500 premises involved in the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme to ensure that the supply of goods is always sufficient and to guarantee the effectiveness of the initiative.

The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) said the increased number of SARA beneficiaries – 5.4 million compared to 700,000 previously – should be able to redeem items easily.

The SARA programme allows recipients to use their MyKads for the purchase of essential items at participating supermarkets and retail stores nationwide.

The finance ministry has said that households eligible for the assistance will receive up to RM2,100 each for the entire year, a 75% increase from RM1,200 last year.

Details on the distribution of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah assitance this year. (Finance ministry)

Fomca CEO T Saravanan said the association welcomed the government’s initiative, which would not only alleviate the cost of living but also increase purchasing power.

However, he said the success of the programme in ensuring that those in need can purchase basic goods required close collaboration between retailers and government agencies.

“A shortage of supply due to increased demand could disrupt the smooth operation of the programme,” he said.

Urging retailers to work with suppliers and the related agencies to ensure the proper management of stock and logistics, Saravanan said that price monitoring should also be enhanced.

‘Increase retailer participation’

Suhubudeen Sahubar Ali, secretary of the Malaysian Muslim Wholesalers and Retailers Association, expressed hope that the government would consider increasing the number of participants, especially small retail stores, in the SARA programme.

“We welcome the government’s decision to increase the number of retailers from 700 to 3,500, but most of them are large supermarkets. Give small retailers a chance,” he said.

“If given the opportunity, they can help increase small retailers’ income.”

Aside from SARA, the government distributes aid to eligible Malaysians under the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah programme. A total of RM13 billion has been allocated for the two aid schemes under the 2025 budget to lighten the burden of people in various categories.

Economist Afzanizam Rashid previously said he believed that measures such as increasing cash assistance could reduce the impact of the targeted subsidy for RON95 petrol, which is expected to be implemented in stages.

On March 28, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that 85% of the public would not be impacted by the removal of the petrol subsidy.