Latest news with #SARA
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia's Q2 2025 economic growth hits 4.5% under MADANI reforms
KUALA LUMPUR: The projected 4.5% economic growth for the second quarter of 2025 highlights the success of the Madani Government's reform agenda, according to Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. He attributed the positive outlook to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership in revitalising the economy and improving public welfare. Nga stated, 'Despite increasingly challenging global pressures, steady domestic demand along with growing consumer and investor confidence reflect the effectiveness of the government's approach.' The Department of Statistics Malaysia's preliminary estimates show an improvement from the 4.4% growth recorded in the previous quarter. The construction sector is leading the expansion with an expected 11.0% growth, fuelled by non-residential and housing projects. Meanwhile, the services sector is forecast to grow by 5.3%, up from 5.0%, while manufacturing recorded a 3.8% increase. Nga credited domestic demand for the strong performance, supported by government initiatives such as the Basic Rahmah Contribution (SARA), Cash Rahmah Contribution (STR), and higher minimum wages. 'These measures have boosted income and purchasing power,' he said. However, he cautioned that external risks like global trade tensions and tariff wars remain concerns. 'The Madani Government remains committed to ensuring inclusive economic growth and the well-being of all Malaysians,' he added. Nga also welcomed Bank Negara Malaysia's decision to lower the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) to 2.75%, calling it a proactive move to support economic activity, particularly in real estate. - Bernama
Barnama
2 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Projected Economic Growth Of 4.5 % For Second Quarter Proves Of MADANI Govt's Reform Efforts
KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (Bernama) -- The projected national economic growth of 4.5 per cent for the second quarter of 2025 is a testament to the effectiveness of the MADANI Government's reform efforts under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, particularly in revitalising the economy and enhancing the well-being of the people. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the projection signals that the government's comprehensive, people-centred fiscal policies are beginning to yield tangible, positive outcomes. "Despite increasingly challenging global pressures, steady domestic demand along with growing consumer and investor confidence reflect the effectiveness of the government's approach," he said in a statement today. The Department of Statistics Malaysia recently announced that the national economy is projected to expand by 4.5 per cent in the second quarter of 2025 based on preliminary estimates, surpassing the increase of 4.4 per cent in the previous quarter. According to Nga, the construction sector is reported to show robust performance with an expected growth rate of 11.0 per cent, driven primarily by non-residential and housing development projects. Meanwhile, he said the services sector is expected to grow by 5.3 per cent, up from 5.0 per cent in the previous quarter, while the manufacturing sector recorded a growth of 3.8 per cent. Nga said the overall growth expectation was driven by domestic demand, strengthened through various initiatives of the MADANI Government, including the implementation of the Basic Rahmah Contribution (SARA), Cash Rahmah Contribution (STR) and the increase in the minimum wage, which has helped increase the income and purchasing power of the people. 'However, the MADANI Government continues to be vigilant with external risks such as global trade tensions and the ongoing tariff war. 'The MADANI Government remains committed to ensuring inclusive economic growth and the well-being of all segments of the people is always guaranteed,' he said.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
SARA aid provides business capital for housewife
PADANG BESAR: RM100 may seem like a small amount to some, but for Nursyafiqah Sobri, 31, it has become a 'golden capital' that is helping to transform her family's life. Each month, the housewife from Bukit Keteri carefully sets aside RM30 from the RM100 Basic Rahmah Contribution (SARA) assistance received by her husband to use as capital for making and selling traditional kuih. "Alhamdulillah, my husband get to receive the SARA assistance. Although it is only RM100 a month to buy necessities, it truly helps ease our family's financial burden. "Every month, I use RM30 of the assistance to buy flour for making the kuih, and the rest goes towards purchasing necessities like rice," she said. Nursyafiqah, who has two children aged six and 11, said she sells kuih such as cucur badak, keria and popia, which she distributes to several shops in her area. Although her home-based kuih business earns her between RM50 to RM80 a week, Nursyafiqah remains grateful as the modest income still helps ease her husband's burden in supporting the family. "Some days, the cakes sell days, they don't. But I keep making them because at least there's still some income," she said. Nursyafiqah shared that her husband, who works as a security guard earning RM1,700 a month, is the pillar of the family. In addition to raising their two children, the couple also care for their elderly parents who live with them. She believes the SARA assistance is a timely and much-needed initiative by the government, providing meaningful relief to families like hers. The monthly aid, she said, is something they look forward to. "I just hope the government will consider increasing the monthly SARA assistance from time to time as the prices of essential goods continue to rise," she said. Under Budget 2025, the annual SARA assistance has been increased to RM2,100, compared to RM1,200 in the previous year. This initiative aligns with the Madani Economic Framework, which prioritises empowering the lives of low-income individuals through equitable opportunities, improved living standards, and comprehensive social protection. To further enhance public convenience, the government has expanded the range of goods eligible for purchase under the SARA programme to 14 categories. Additionally, the number of registered participating retail outlets and supermarkets has grown significantly, rising from 700 last year to over 4,100 premises nationwide as of July 2025.
Barnama
2 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
SARA Aid Provides Business Capital For Housewife
By Nurul Syahirah Zulkifli PADANG BESAR, July 21 (Bernama) -- RM100 may seem like a small amount to some, but for Nursyafiqah Sobri, 31, it has become a 'golden capital' that is helping to transform her family's life. Each month, the housewife from Bukit Keteri carefully sets aside RM30 from the RM100 Basic Rahmah Contribution (SARA) assistance received by her husband to use as capital for making and selling traditional kuih. "Alhamdulillah, my husband get to receive the SARA assistance. Although it is only RM100 a month to buy necessities, it truly helps ease our family's financial burden. 'Every month, I use RM30 of the assistance to buy flour for making the kuih, and the rest goes towards purchasing necessities like rice,' she told Bernama recently. Nursyafiqah, who has two children aged six and 11, said she sells kuih such as cucur badak, keria and popia, which she distributes to several shops in her area. Although her home-based kuih business earns her between RM50 to RM80 a week, Nursyafiqah remains grateful as the modest income still helps ease her husband's burden in supporting the family. 'Some days, the cakes sell days, they don't. But I keep making them because at least there's still some income,' she said. Nursyafiqah shared that her husband, who works as a security guard earning RM1,700 a month, is the pillar of the family.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Struggling families grateful as expanded Sara aid eases burden
TAWAU: For 40-year-old Deon Marhansa, the government's Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) aid has become a lifeline in helping his family cope with the rising cost of living. "My salary sometimes comes in late, so with SARA, I can buy essentials like rice, eggs, and cooking oil earlier in the month. I then use my salary to cover other household needs. "This government assistance means a lot, and I hope it continues every year," he said. Working at an automotive workshop, Deon said he fully utilises the assistance to purchase daily necessities and school supplies for his children. "I started receiving SARA in April. Before this, I only received the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR). I'm truly thankful to the Madani government," he added. Deon is among 4.7 million existing STR recipients who have benefited from the expanded SARA programme, as announced under the 2025 Budget. Effective April 1 this year, the initiative — aimed at supporting those in genuine need — was expanded beyond the initial 700,000 recipients under the eKasih database, increasing the total number of beneficiaries to 5.4 million. Meanwhile, Hamidi Lamit, 45, from Kampung Selamat, Kunak, said using the MyKad as a payment medium has made transactions easier and more secure. "With MyKad, there's no need to queue at the bank to withdraw cash; we can go straight to the shop and buy groceries. "Through SARA, I've been able to buy quite a lot of essentials like rice, eggs, cooking oil, and canned food such as sardines," said Hamidi, who works as a grass cutter. Another recipient, Amad Supardi, 41, who works at a factory in Balung, said the assistance has helped reduce a significant portion of his family's monthly grocery expenses. "I used to set aside about RM300 a month for groceries, but with SARA, I've been able to save. The first things I buy using the aid via MyKad are rice, cooking oil, eggs, noodles, soap, and toothpaste. "I have a wife and four school-going children to support, and I'm truly grateful to the government for providing aid like STR and SARA. I hope more items, such as chicken and vegetables, will be included in the future," he said. Housewife Asmah Labade, 38, said the aid received by her husband, a fisherman, has allowed them to purchase medicines and school supplies for their children. "Besides rice, eggs, tea, cooking oil, and instant noodles, I also bought medicines like Panadol and medicated oil for the whole family, including my in-laws, as well as pencils and exercise books for the children," said Asmah, who lives in Kampung Pangkalan, Kunak. In Lahad Datu, another housewife, Marchela Bongsu, 35, from Taman Warisan, also hopes that the SARA programme will be continued. "The SARA assistance has really helped ease the burden on my husband, who works as an e-hailing driver with an unstable income. We've been receiving this aid for nine months now, and it has given us some breathing room. "I also sell traditional cakes to support my husband, and the flour I use comes from the SARA aid. I'm truly grateful for this government assistance — it means a great deal to families like ours with irregular incomes," she said. Under the 2025 Budget, allocations for the STR and SARA programmes have increased to RM13 billion, up from RM10 billion the previous year. The annual SARA aid has also been raised to RM2,100 this year, up from RM1,200 previously. This initiative aligns with the Madani Economic Framework, which focuses on empowering low-income households through equitable opportunities, improved living standards, and robust social protection. To further improve accessibility, the government has expanded the list of eligible items under SARA to 14 categories and increased the number of participating grocery stores and supermarkets to over 4,100 nationwide as of this month, up from only 700 last year.
