Latest news with #eKasih
Barnama
2 days ago
- Health
- Barnama
MADANI Adopted Village: MOH Confident Kampung Santan Selatan Will Be Model Village
KANGAR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Health (MOH) is confident that Kampung Santan Selatan will serve as a model for inclusive and thriving community development for the country, particularly Perlis, under the ministry's MADANI Adopted Village programme. MOH secretary-general Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad said a total of RM1 million has been set aside for the programme until December this year, which will be utilised to address issues at the village, including dilapidated village clinic, slow drainage flow, waste management, and assistance for asnaf families. "All issues are being addressed through engagement with government agencies in Perlis, namely the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU), Public Works Department (JKR), Kangar Municipal Council (MPKangar), and the State Health Department (JKN)," she said during the programme's launch at the village here today. According to Suriani, Perlis JKN is in the process of repairing and upgrading the facilities at the Santan Village Clinic to provide greater comfort for patients, with completion expected by November. Meanwhile, she said Sekolah Kebangsaan Santan has been selected for the MADANI Adopted School programme, an initiative to strengthen education in rural areas across five key areas: infrastructure, academics, teacher development, financial assistance, as well as student character and skills. 'RM100,000 has been approved to implement the programme. The funds will be used to improve school facilities and support initiatives that can enhance students' academic performance and potential. We hope this school will become a centre of knowledge and a place to build character and leadership for the next generation,' she said. Suriani said efforts have begun to unlock the village's potential and bridge the gap between leaders, government agencies, and the community, as well as build a more advanced and competitive society. At the launch, 125 villagers registered under the eKasih system received MADANI Sentuhan Kasih vouchers worth RM100 each to purchase essential items. -- BERNAMA
The Sun
10-08-2025
- Business
- The Sun
SARA aid transforms lives of Orang Asli with food security boost
KOTA BHARU: The Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiative has become a lifeline for Orang Asli communities in Gua Musang, ensuring consistent access to basic food supplies. Amoi Asud, a 36-year-old Temiar tribeswoman from Kampung Jader, no longer substitutes rice with cassava thanks to the monthly assistance. 'With just MyKad verification, my husband can buy rice and dry food in town without extra effort,' she told Bernama. Suria Kamarul, a 24-year-old Mendriq housewife, described her MyKad as a multi-purpose card for purchasing essentials at registered shops up to 10 kilometres away. The RM100 monthly aid helps her family buy groceries while supplementing income through lemongrass cultivation with her husband. Rubber tapper Harun Abus, 24, praised the MyKad system for its practicality in controlling expenses compared to cash handouts. 'More village shops joining SARA make it easier for remote communities like ours,' he explained. In Tok Bali, 67-year-old fisherman Awang Mat Sulaiman finds the card system particularly convenient for elderly recipients like himself. His wife Zainun Sidi appreciates dedicated supermarket counters that streamline purchases for SARA beneficiaries. Single mother Zariana Awang Mat, 34, relies on the aid to cover her five children's needs without upfront cash preparation. The programme now reaches 5.4 million recipients, including 700,000 eKasih beneficiaries and 4.7 million Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) recipients. Budget 2025 increased STR and SARA allocations to RM13 billion from RM10 billion, with annual SARA rates rising to RM2,100 from RM1,200. This expansion aligns with the MADANI economy's focus on equitable opportunities and social protection for low-income groups. A special National Day initiative will provide RM100 one-off aid to all Malaysians aged 18 and above, benefiting 22 million people. The additional RM2 billion allocation brings total STR and SARA funding to a historic RM15 billion this year. As of July 29, over 4,500 retail outlets nationwide participate in SARA, offering 90,000 essential items across 14 categories. Registered shops now provide everything from rice and eggs to school supplies and personal hygiene products under the programme. – Bernama
New Straits Times
04-08-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
MyKad eases access to Sara aid, brings relief to longhouse residents
SERIAN: Longhouse residents deep in Sarawak's interior are breathing a sigh of relief as they can now access the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) aid directly using their MyKad at nearby grocery shops — without having to travel to town or deal with cumbersome procedures. Besides saving time and cost, the approach ensures the government's targeted aid reaches those in need directly and without delay. Tuai rumah (longhouse head) of Kampung Reah Baru Longhouse, Guang Latip, 69, said previously, the residents had to travel 35km to Serian town just to withdraw the aid. "In the past, it was quite difficult to claim the aid because we had to go to the bank, but now it's very convenient as we just use our MyKad and can go directly to the shop to buy food and daily essentials," he told Bernama. cHe said the system was more efficient, particularly given Sarawak's vast geography and its large number of communities living in remote areas. Guang said all 78 families in the longhouse, which was built in 2011, including nearby residents, are eligible to receive Sara aid this year. Meanwhile, aid recipient Minang Dawi, 43, a housewife with three young children, expressed gratitude, saying the method has made things much easier for her. "I don't have to leave my children behind just to claim the aid in town. Now I can use my MyKad directly to buy milk, rice and groceries," she said. She hoped the government would consider the number of family members when determining the amount of aid, rather than basing it solely on household income. For Madlein Ngaran, 52, the aid has been a great help as she lives alone in the longhouse. "When the aid can be used just with MyKad verification, I can manage my grocery needs on my own without depending on my children," she said. The Sara programme is a targeted cash initiative that has now been expanded to 5.4 million recipients, covering 700,000 existing eKasih recipients and 4.7 million Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) recipients. Under Budget 2025, allocations for STR and Sara have been increased to RM13 billion from RM10 billion previously, with the annual Sara aid raised to RM2,100 from RM1,200 last year. The initiative is part of the Madani Economy framework, which focuses on empowering low-income households through fair opportunities, better living standards and comprehensive social protection. In conjunction with National Day, the government has also announced a one-off payment of RM100 to all Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above under the Sara programme. The initiative is expected to benefit 22 million people, involving an additional RM2 billion, bringing this year's total allocation for STR and Sara to RM15 billion – the highest in the nation's history. As of July 29, a total of 4,500 registered retail outlets nationwide have joined the SARA programme, offering over 90,000 essential items in 14 categories, including rice, eggs, medicines, hygiene products, school supplies and personal care items. – BERNAMA
Free Malaysia Today
03-08-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
New water rates won't affect most Johor households, says supplier
New water tariffs in Johor will support upgrades to the Semanggar and Semanggar 3 water treatment plants, according to the state water operator. (Ranhill pic) JOHOR BAHRU : Higher water tariffs have come into effect in Johor from Aug 1, but most domestic consumers, places of worship, or vulnerable groups in the e-Kasih database will not be affected, according to state water operator Ranhill SAJ. Its CEO, Anuar Abdul Ghani, said users in tiers one and two will continue enjoying the existing rates. However, domestic consumers who use more than 35 cubic metres per month will pay 35 sen more per cubic metre, but the minimum monthly charge remains at RM10.50, he said in a statement today. Non-domestic users will see a tariff increase of RM1 to RM1.75 per cubic metre, with the new monthly minimum charge set at RM41.50. Residents in strata housing using bulk metres will experience an increase of 20 sen per cubic metre, while the shipping industry will now be charged RM8.03 per cubic metre. A new tariff category has also been introduced for data centres, which will be charged RM5.33 per cubic metre. Anuar said the rates were approved by the Cabinet as a necessary step to improve water services and infrastructure resilience. The changes would help fund the replacement of ageing, leak-prone pipelines and support rising water demand due to rapid development and population growth, he added. Among the key upgrade projects supported by the new tariff are Layang 2 Phase 2 (160 million litres per day), Semanggar (50 MLD), and Semanggar 3 (120 MLD).
The Sun
29-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Sejahtera MADANI initiative transforms Malaysia's poverty eradication strategy
PUTRAJAYA: The Sejahtera MADANI initiative marks a new chapter in Malaysia's social justice landscape as it combines policy strength, data precision, and sincerity of implementers in a holistic effort to eradicate poverty in a dignified and effective manner, based on local values and culture, said academics. According to Prof Dr Zainal Abidin Sanusi, a lecturer at the Department of Political Science and MADANI Studies at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), the initiative reflects more than just financial assistance; it represents a transformational approach that addresses structural, emotional, and human dimensions of poverty. 'Sejahtera MADANI is not merely another welfare policy. It's a systemic shift in how we understand and address poverty, not merely in statistics, but also in realities that require structural reform and strategic unification,' he told Bernama. Zainal, who also heads IIUM's Sejahtera Centre for Sustainability and Humanity, said the strength of Sejahtera MADANI lies in its integration of existing aid programmes such as the Rakyat Sejahtera Housing Programme (PPRS), Amanah Ikhtiar, and Tekun, along with national databases like eKasih and MyKasih, which lacked coordination. 'With Sejahtera MADANI, we now see clearer structural alignment, especially through a household-based approach focusing on Heads of Households (KIR) and Household Members (AIR) and guided by four key areas of focus, namely income, education, housing, and welfare,' he explained. Zainal said this strategy views poverty as a structural issue, not merely a lack of income, which aligns with the principles of inclusivity and social justice that form the backbone of the Malaysia MADANI framework. He also welcomed the emphasis on local-level implementation, noting that many past programmes failed not due to poor policy design, but because of weak micro-governance and outdated data. 'Sejahtera MADANI empowers grassroots implementers as development enablers, not just aid distributors. It also brings together initiatives such as Sekolah Angkat MADANI, Kampung Angkat MADANI, Komuniti@UniMADANI, and Bakti MADANI into a mutually reinforcing ecosystem,' he said. A key feature of the initiative is a more transparent and responsive impact monitoring system, designed to adapt to changing socio-economic conditions, demanding not just policy restructuring, but a shift in execution culture. Zainal also emphasised the need for remapping poverty hotspots, using micro-level community assessments rather than relying solely on macro data. At the same time, Zainal lauded the government's move to upgrade the eKasih database, calling it a vital step to ensure fairer aid distribution because poverty, he said, is deeply interconnected with educational access, mental health, aid dependency, and the absence of community voices in development processes. 'Sejahtera MADANI presents a forward-thinking, holistic strategy, including the development of self-worth and financial literacy among poor communities,' he remarked. As a direct contributor to the Sekolah Angkat and Kampung Angkat programmes, Zainal urged for all MADANI-branded initiatives to be strategically consolidated under the Sejahtera MADANI umbrella, to avoid duplication and fragmented implementation. 'We need a comprehensive execution plan, backed by a robust ecosystem of data, implementers, and shared monitoring,' he said. The professor also stressed that the success of Sejahtera MADANI hinges on consistent political commitment, efficient implementation, and a culture of integrity and empowerment at every level. Launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on July 24, Sejahtera MADANI has already raised over RM120 million, underscoring the government's commitment to eliminating poverty through focused and integrated national efforts. The programme is coordinated by the Implementation Coordination Unit under the Prime Minister's Department (ICU JPM), and targets registered poor and hardcore poor households within the eKasih database. - Bernama
