Latest news with #SumbanganAsasRahmah
Borneo Post
an hour ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
PKR Sibuti branch applauds Anwar's cost of living relief initiatives
Zulhaidah Suboh MIRI (July 24): Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sibuti branch has lauded Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent announcement of several key initiatives to ease the rising cost of living, describing them as timely, inclusive, and beneficial to all Malaysians. Its deputy chief Zulhaidah Suboh said the introduction of the one-off RM100 cash assistance under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) programme for all Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above would provide immediate relief, particularly for lower-income groups. 'This form of individual-based assistance will directly improve household purchasing power. For instance, a household with four adult members would receive RM400,' she said in a statement yesterday. The assistance, which will be disbursed via MyKad, can be utilised from Aug 31 to Dec 31, this year. Zulhaidah also welcomed the government's decision to reduce the price of RON95 petrol to RM1.99 per litre for Malaysians—down from the current RM2.05—under a newly targeted subsidy mechanism, with full details to be announced by the end of September this year. 'This will significantly lower daily transport costs and help control the prices of essential goods, benefitting the rakyat as a whole,' she added. Zulhaidah also commended the government's decision to double the allocation for the Rahmah Madani Sales Programme to RM600 million, saying it would make affordable basic necessities more accessible to rural and remote communities. 'The increased allocation will widen access to essential goods at reasonable prices, especially for B40 and M40 households living in the rural and the interior,' she noted. She further expressed appredciation for the announcement of an additional public holiday on Sept 15 in conjunction with Malaysia Day celebrations. 'This holiday not only honours the spirit of unity and the nation's formation, but also encourages domestic family activities and tourism,' she said. Zulhaidah stressed that the initiatives announced by Anwar are not short-term populist measures, but part of a broader, balanced strategy aimed at supporting people's welfare while maintaining economic stability. 'These initiatives reflect a caring and practical approach that should be commended. We thank YAB Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Unity Government for their continued commitment to building a Malaysia Madani.'
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar: Sejahtera Madani scheme will help eradicate hardcore poverty
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will launch the Sejahtera Madani initiative today as part of efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said the initiative was a continuation of the government's commitment to supporting the hardcore poor and the poor, through joint efforts by the government and the corporate sector. "Eradicating hardcore poverty has been my priority since the beginning. By the end of 2024, nearly 150,000 hardcore poor households were lifted out of poverty." He said this during a special announcement yesterday that was broadcast live on television channels and social media. Anwar, who is finance minister, said the government had been improving assistance to the people to ease the burden of living expenses since the beginning of his tenure. He said one of the most significant steps was the allocation of RM13 billion for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara), the largest such allocation in the nation's history. "Cash assistance under the Social Welfare Department was increased to RM2.9 billion to boost the monthly welfare assistance for the elderly and children from poor families." He said the government also empowered padi farmers by raising the padi floor price to RM1,500 this year, following increases in 2022 and 2023, and increasing the padi price subsidy scheme rate to RM500 in 2023. In the commodity sector, he said the government increased the rubber production incentive to RM3 per kg last year, following increases in 2022 and 2023. He announced a one-off RM100 cash aid to every adult citizen under the Sara programme, postponed the toll rate increase for 10 highways and lowered the RON95 price to RM1.99 per litre. He said more initiatives would be introduced in the 2026 Budget in October. "These are the measures for now. By the end of 2025, we hope to improve with a clearer commitment to provide benefits in the 2026 Budget in October."
The Star
3 hours ago
- Health
- The Star
Let people decide if they want the RM100 aid, says Dr Wee
PETALING JAYA: Those who do not need the RM100 Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) cash aid should have the option to opt out and let the money be channelled to more critical areas such as education and health, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong ( pic ). Dr Wee proposed redirecting the money to support public hospitals and award scholarships to deserving students, instead of using it for what he described as blanket populist measures. 'Rather than spending public money on populist measures that may benefit those who don't need it, wouldn't it be better to support those who genuinely do, while also upgrading our healthcare and education systems?' he said in a Facebook post yesterday. Dr Wee suggested a mechanism allowing Malaysians who do not want or need the Sara assistance to voluntarily return it. He said the funds could help reduce the elective surgery backlog for 15,000 patients facing wait times of up to 21 months in government hospitals and provide scholarships for SPM straight-A students, STPM, and matriculation graduates with excellent CGPA results who are still denied places in their preferred university programmes. He also called for the abolition of the Rakan KKM scheme, saying 'it is biased and only benefits patients who can afford to pay more to jump the queue'. Dr Wee added that he believes Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Cabinet ministers, MPs and assemblymen would also be willing to forgo the RM100 aid. 'I will be the first to contribute mine. A win-win solution – the people get to choose, and the government wins too!' he said. Yesterday, Anwar announced that every Malaysian aged 18 and above will receive a one-off RM100 credit via MyKad starting Aug 31 under the Sara initiative.
The Sun
4 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
One-off RM100 aid for every adult M'sian: PM
PETALING JAYA: In a sweeping move to ease financial pressure on Malaysians and uplift the national spirit ahead of Merdeka and Malaysia Day, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday unveiled a RM2 billion cash aid initiative for all adults, a significant boost in subsidies for essential goods and an additional public holiday. 'In celebration of our National Day, I am pleased to announce that every adult Malaysian will receive RM100 through his MyKad under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah scheme,' he said during a special televised address. The one-off aid will benefit 22 million citizens aged 18 and above. It can be utilised between Aug 31 and Dec 31 at over 4,100 participating outlets nationwide, including Mydin, Lotus's, Econsave, 99 Speedmart and select local grocery stores. 'That means a household consisting of a husband, wife and two adult children will receive RM400 in total.' He said with this latest injection, the combined allocation for the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah initiatives will increase to RM15 billion from RM13 billion, making it the largest-ever cash assistance programme in Malaysia's history and the first time such aid is being extended to all adult Malaysians. Acknowledging that some recipients may not necessarily need the assistance, Anwar encouraged those in a better financial position to leave the credit unspent. 'For those who choose not to use it, the government intends to channel the unused balance at the end of the year towards programmes that support vulnerable communities next year.' Anwar also announced that the allocation for the Jualan Rahmah Madani programme would be doubled to RM600 million, up from RM300 million this year, enabling the programme to expand both in frequency and geographic reach, covering 600 state constituencies in the country. 'We want the people to have better access to basic necessities at affordable prices, no matter where they live. We will also expand the range of essential items offered, providing the public with more options and better access to basic necessities at lower prices.' The programme is part of the government's broader strategy to make essential goods more affordable for Malaysians and reduce everyday financial strain. Capping the announcements, Anwar declared that Sept 15, which falls on a Monday, will be a public holiday, effectively creating a long weekend for Malaysians to celebrate the formation of the country. 'This holiday is a token of appreciation for the spirit of togetherness that defines our country. It is also a chance for people to reconnect with their roots or travel locally.'
Barnama
10 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
PM's Announcement Shows MADANI Gov't Committed To Easing People's Burden
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- Leaders of state governments have described Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement of several initiatives today as proof of the continued concern and commitment of the MADANI Government in assisting to ease the people's burden. In NEGERI SEMBILAN, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said the initiatives announced, including the one-time provision of RM100 under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme and petrol price reduction, are a good start and can ease the people's burden. "Such announcements give meaning to the people... for those in need, it is a very meaningful gift and can help them in their daily lives,' he told reporters after chairing the state executive council meeting in Seremban today. Aminuddin, who is also the Port Dickson Member of Parliament, said the state government welcomed the good news and is confident it can encourage the people to continue to be positive in facing daily life challenges. He added that the government's decision to multiply the MADANI Rahmah Sales and double the allocation for the programme to RM600 million was also the best initiative that will significantly benefit the people. In MELAKA, the state government will plan tourism activities for visitors in conjunction with the additional public holiday on Sept 15 to further invigorate the tourism sector in the state as part of its new industry, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusof. "I will make this tourism sector a new industry in Melaka… it will have all kinds (of tourism activities in Melaka), covering air, land and sea,' he told reporters outside the State Legislative Assembly sitting today. In SELANGOR, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari described the announcement of the one-off RM100 aid through MyKad under SARA as proof of the MADANI Government's care and concern towards the people's plight. He said that with 22 million Malaysians set to benefit from the total allocation of RM2 billion via SARA, it will help propel the economic cycle forward through the expected spending or purchase transactions.
