logo
#

Latest news with #MyKasih

‘Thank you, PMX': Malaysians celebrate RM100 cash aid, cheaper petrol
‘Thank you, PMX': Malaysians celebrate RM100 cash aid, cheaper petrol

Malay Mail

time7 days ago

  • Business
  • Malay Mail

‘Thank you, PMX': Malaysians celebrate RM100 cash aid, cheaper petrol

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 — Malaysians responded with thankfulness to a series of financial aid measures announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today, aimed at easing the burden of a skyrocketing cost of living. 'Thank you, PMX' comments flooded the prime minister's social media accounts as he announced the initiatives live. Some users also pre-emptively quashed potential criticism from naysayers, commending the government for rolling out the initiatives as better late than never. One announcement that won praise was the one-off RM100 cash aid for all Malaysians aged 18 and above, to be credited through their MyKad starting August 31. Anwar said this initiative, under an expanded Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara), is expected to benefit some 22 million Malaysians. While some might dismiss the RM100 payout, Facebook user Noriahjohar Yazid from Perak pointed out that it is helpful, especially when combined with other targeted federal and state financial assistance. 'RM100 from (Kad) Perak Sejahtera… RM200 from MyKasih… Alhamdulillah… it's very helpful,' she commented during the livestream. The Kad Perak Sejahtera initiative provides RM1,200 annually (RM100 per month) to eligible recipients from the B40 income bracket in Perak. Meanwhile, Sara recipients under the MyKasih programme have been receiving RM200 monthly via their MyKad since April 2025 for essential goods. On Instagram, user @nadhirahidris commended the government's plan to redirect subsidies following the announcement that the RON95 petrol price will be reduced to RM1.99 per litre for Malaysians. 'Taken from eggs, returned to oil,' she commented on Anwar's post, referring to the recent reduction and upcoming removal of egg subsidies. The government plans to lower the RON95 price by six cents from its current RM2.05 per litre by the end of September, exclusively for Malaysians. However, some social media users raised concerns about whether the prices of essential goods would decrease in tandem with the petrol price drop. 'Alhamdulillah… hopefully traders will also lower the prices of goods. Before this, the excuse (to raise prices) was that oil prices went up… shouldn't food prices drop too?' commented Instagram user @azrilfeeqry. Another user, @norhallehan_aan, urged the government to expand the list of items that can be purchased using the RM100 handout to include wet goods such as vegetables. Currently, the Sara cash assistance is generally limited to purchasing dry essential items like rice and cooking oil, as well as personal care products and school supplies.

Govt aid is appreciated, but is not a long-term solution
Govt aid is appreciated, but is not a long-term solution

The Star

time7 days ago

  • Business
  • The Star

Govt aid is appreciated, but is not a long-term solution

GEORGE TOWN: The government's welfare initiatives such as MyKasih and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) have provided some relief to those in financial distress, especially the B40 group. However, voices on the ground are calling for a more sustainable approach to lifting people out of poverty amid rising living costs. Businessman Ahmad Munzrie Ahmad Kabir, 35, from Teluk Intan said that while these aid programmes are welcome, they fall short of addressing the economic pressures faced by many. 'The government needs to do more to resolve the root issues of poverty and provide better living standards to those who are often left out or overlooked.' Ahmad added that beyond short-term financial relief, long-term strategies must be in place to tackle persistent issues such as underemployment, low wages and food inflation. 'Political stability is also an important factor in ensuring the government can stay focused on helping the people and strengthening the country's economy.' Retirees are also feeling increasingly vulnerable. A ground level view: (From left) Ahmad, Doraisamy, Harmeet and Dr Khoo share the challenges they face. While receiving a monthly pension of RM1,100, retired school clerk P. Doraisamy, 75, from Penang, said inflation is eating away at his limited funds. 'Costs for meals and daily essentials have gone up by 20% to 30% over the past five years.' He said instead of just handing out money periodically, the government should focus on bringing down the cost of goods, especially raw ingredients. 'They should also look into creating more employment opportunities, especially for the younger generation and improving the quality of life through better public services, affordable housing and healthcare,' he said. Harmeet Singh, who works in Kuala Lumpur, hopes the government would introduce meaningful measures to ease the rising cost of living. The 26-year-old general manager of a startup company said essentials like food, fuel and rent have become increasingly expensive, and many of them are finding it harder to stay afloat. 'I would also like to see more support for small businesses and startups. 'Many young Malaysians are trying to build something of their own, but the current environment, from high overheads to limited access to funding, makes it very challenging.' Harmeet said it would be helpful if the government provided more targeted assistance, especially for lower-income groups and fresh graduates who are just starting their careers. 'Ultimately, what we are asking for is a fair chance to build a stable life, afford a home and have some financial security without constantly worrying about the next crisis,' he said. Consultant paediatrician and paediatric neurologist Dr Alex Khoo Peng Chuan, 53, from Ipoh, said that working in healthcare has made him acutely aware of the heavy burdens his patients carry. He said one of the greatest challenges he faces as a paediatrician is balancing maximum resources while ensuring that every decision prioritises patient well-being, with affordability being the most important consideration. 'If there is any way to ease the public's burden, especially by reducing the high cost of living – from basic necessities like food, housing and transport, to affordable healthcare, alongside measures to curb inflation, taxes and price hikes, it would make a meaningful difference,' he said. Ramesh Muthu said the government should pay closer attention to the challenges faced by citizens in their mid to late 50s, a demographic often overlooked. The sales manager said this age group continues to bear significant financial responsibilities, especially in supporting their children's tertiary education, while dealing with an uncertain economic future. The 56-year-old from Seremban stressed the need for a more structured system of tax relief for parents with children in higher education, particularly when they are unable to secure placements in public universities. Logistics operations executive Termit Singh, 32, said a one-off cash assistance is not enough for the people to cope with the rising cost of living, especially for those staying in Johor Baru. 'Due to our proximity with Singapore, our cost of living is much higher compared to other parts of the country, in terms of food, rent and groceries. 'Since we are also facing a brain drain of those searching for jobs across the border, I hope there will be better education plans such as scholarships and incentives to retain talent in Malaysia to help our economy.'

Shopper helps pay grocery bill for woman with only RM20 to spare
Shopper helps pay grocery bill for woman with only RM20 to spare

The Sun

time06-07-2025

  • General
  • The Sun

Shopper helps pay grocery bill for woman with only RM20 to spare

ACTS of kindness are often not grand gestures. Sometimes, it's as simple as paying for someone's groceries in the checkout queue. One such moment caught the attention of a Malaysian woman, who shared her experience on Threads, after witnessing a kind shopper offer to pay for another woman's groceries. 'The person in front of me paid for everything, even though the only thing she bought was a packet of Milo sachets,' she explained. While waiting in line to pay for her items, the woman noticed an elderly shopper struggling at the counter after discovering that the balance in her MyKasih account was empty. To make matters worse, the elderly woman had only RM20 in cash, despite her shopping list including essential items and snacks. The story quickly made the rounds on social media, where netizens praised the generous shopper for her compassion and selflessness.

MyKasih returns after technical issue
MyKasih returns after technical issue

The Star

time03-07-2025

  • Business
  • The Star

MyKasih returns after technical issue

Buying essentials: Shoppers purchasing goods at the special MyKasih counter at the Mydin Hypermarket in Kepala Batas, Penang. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star PETALING JAYA: The MyKasih cashless assistance system resumed service yesterday morning with its usual in-store transactions functioning, after it faced a technical issue on Tuesday. A representative from the MyKasih Foundation said there were one or two retail stores that could not process purchases from recipients due to technical difficulties. 'We have been receiving one or two calls from shoppers after seeing the update on the system. They had gone into some retail stores but were unable to make a purchase. "But this is due to the incident on July 1 pertaining to some backlog issues with the merchants that need to be settled at their terminals with us first. 'We are still trying to ascertain the cause of the technical issue,' he said when contacted. On how purchases are made, the representative explained that beneficiaries of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) initiative use money which is credited into their MyKad. Every first day of the month, recipients get a fixed amount to buy essential products with the label Sara on the shelves and pay at the Sara counter. The credited money does not expire until Dec 31, and the amount gets deducted after purchases are made at selected grocery stores. If the money isn't used, the amount gets accumulated. The amount credited is based on categories set by the Finance Ministry for eligible recipients, including those who are single (poor), needy households and senior citizens. Earlier, MyKasih had posted on its social media about a technical disruption at several participating supermarkets and retail stores. In the statement, it said that maintenance work is ongoing to resolve the issue and users will be notified once the system is fully operational. 'We apologise for any inconvenience caused,' it said. The MyKasih programme provides targeted aid to eligible individuals through a digital food aid system at selected retailers nationwide, with assistance that is directly credited into the recipient's MyKad. According to the Finance Ministry, the government began distributing Sara on Jan 15 this year via MyKad monthly to 700,000 poor and hardcore poor recipients. This year, the distribution of Sara through MyKad will be expanded to Sabah and Sarawak. The Sara assistance rate has also been increased with poor and hardcore poor households in the eKasih record receiving a total of RM2,100 for 2025, compared to RM1,200 in 2024. From January to March, RM100 per month was credited into the recipients' MyKad. Beginning in April this year, the amount was increased to RM200 per month.

SAPP to assist local retailers on Sara
SAPP to assist local retailers on Sara

Daily Express

time13-06-2025

  • Business
  • Daily Express

SAPP to assist local retailers on Sara

Published on: Friday, June 13, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 13, 2025 Text Size: Those interested can contact Gee Tien Siong (pic) (010-932 7688), Alex Soon (013-540 2288) or email [email protected] for guidance and assistance. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has pledged to assist local small and medium retailers in participating in the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) cashless aid programme. This was conveyed during a meeting between SAPP and MyKasih Foundation, where both sides discussed ways to increase retailer involvement in Sabah. Advertisement SAPP was represented by Deputy President Datuk Richard Yong We Kong, Vice President Gee Tien Siong and Supreme Councillor Alex Soon Kak Foh. The Sara programme, funded by the Federal Ministry of Finance, supports 506,000 recipients in Sabah with monthly assistance ranging from RM50 to RM200 each household. A total of 446 merchants are now participating in Sabah, with at least a few outlets in each district, solving the initial accessibility issue. SAPP noted that many smaller retailers remain uninformed or unsure about the registration process and pledged to help bridge this gap. Yong stressed that local SMEs must not be left out of national aid programmes and deserve full access to economic opportunities. SAPP and MyKasih agreed to cooperate in raising awareness and expanding merchant participation to ensure broader community benefit. Only officially registered businesses with a valid company bank account are eligible to join the programme. Participating outlets will be provided with terminals and connection data. Sales revenue will be reimbursed by MyKasih Foundation on a twice a week basis, every Monday and Friday. According to information provided by the MyKasih team, the foundation currently has recorded 94,000 Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) codes for eligible products, and retailers may apply to include relevant SKUs based on their available inventory. To improve accuracy and product availability, MyKasih recommends retailers submit SKU applications themselves rather than relying on manufacturers. About 93 per cent of recipients in Sabah have utilised their Sara aid, compared to 72 per cent in Semenanjung Malaysia. Those interested can contact Gee Tien Siong (010-932 7688), Alex Soon (013-540 2288) or email [email protected] for guidance and assistance. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store