A Malaysian man has sparked an online debate after sharing his views on how recipients of the RM100 Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) assistance should use the aid to buy what he considers healthier and more beneficial food.
In a lengthy Facebook post, the man said he felt saddened while queuing to pay at a supermarket after noticing many shopping trolleys filled with processed items such as biscuits, bread, cordial drinks, frozen food like nuggets and fries, instant noodles, sauces, and boxed beverages.
According to him, the concern was not about people using the aid, but about missed opportunities to prioritise nutrition.
He argued that since the RM100 comes from government assistance, recipients could consider choosing better-quality ingredients that allow for healthier home-cooked meals.
He shared that he personally used SARA to buy items such as eggs, higher-quality rice, fresh coconut milk, canned fish, vegetables, and basic dry goods that could be turned into dishes like curries, soups, bubur, and laksa.
In his view, spending slightly more on quality ingredients could support better health in the long run and reduce the risk of chronic illnesses later in life.
However, many Malaysians in the comments section pushed back, saying the post failed to reflect the realities faced by B40 households.
Several netizens pointed out that for low-income families, food choices are often driven by affordability, quantity, and convenience rather than nutrition.
Some shared that processed food like nuggets, fries, and boxed milk may be among the few items children are willing to eat, especially in households where treats are rare.
Others highlighted that RM100 means very different things to different people.
One commenter explained that two bags of regular rice could feed a family longer than one bag of premium rice, making quantity a more practical choice.
Another added that not everyone has the time, energy, or cooking facilities to prepare meals from scratch every day.
There were also reminders not to judge how others spend aid money, with some netizens stressing that struggles vary from household to household.
“If we are not in their position, we won’t fully understand,” one commenter wrote, while another bluntly said that survival comes first before health considerations.
At the same time, a smaller group of commenters agreed with the man’s message, saying his post was a reminder to think about long-term health and make more mindful choices when possible.
