27-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Ministry aims to expand access for Sara recipients
RANAU: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry will collaborate with the Finance Ministry to expand access to essential items for recipients of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) aid.
Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the ministry had proposed that recipients be allowed to use their Sara aid at mobile Jualan Rahmah Madani Programme (PJRM) locations, in addition to existing participating retailers.
He said at present, Sara aid recipients could only purchase basic items at 4,152 participating supermarkets and retail outlets nationwide, including 470 in Sabah.
"This will enable Sara recipients to use the aid credited to their MyKad to make purchases at mobile PJRM locations," he said after launching the Sabah Zone Carnival 2025 here on Saturday.
Armizan said the additional RM300 million PJRM allocation would enable the ministry to increase its frequency, with a target of 20,000 this year.
"For Sabah, the ministry is targeting 2,276 PJRM series this year, with 1,089 already implemented as of today (Saturday).
"We will adopt several approaches to ensure the target is achieved by year end."
He said this included increasing the range of items offered and enhancing cooperation with strategic retail partners.
"Through these improvements, the people will have more choices. The ministry can no longer act alone as it did in the past."
He said this was the second year the ministry had implemented the Zone Carnival programme, adding that six carnivals would be held nationwide this year.
"For the carnival in Ranau, held in conjunction with the Buy Malaysian Goods Campaign, we expect around 60,000 visitors during the three-day event."
Armizan said the main goal of the initiative was to bring government services, particularly those under the ministry, closer to the people.
