The government has recently unveiled the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme, which is aimed at alleviating the burden of Malaysians by giving them RM100 to buy daily essentials and is set to come into effect on Sunday (Aug 31).
Amid complaints that the money was too little for some households, a minister doubled down and defended the aid amount by claiming it was sufficient for elderly couples to live on.
‘RM100 SARA aid’s enough for elderly couples’
The claim was made by Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Dr. Fuziah Salleh, who argued that elderly couples were more than capable on surviving on the RM100 aid.
For some, RM100 can provide basic necessities. But for elderly couples living together, that amount may be enough to buy their monthly supplies.
“Others may think RM100 is nothing and see it as just money to buy ice cream or buy drinks for friends. The value of RM100 varies for ordinary Malaysians, but for us at KPDN who are responsible for the cost of living, and for me who is always on the ground listening to the people’s grievances, RM100 is significant,” she said as quoted by Astro Awani.
Fuziah made the comments at the Launch Ceremony of the SARA Box Programme organised by Mydin on Monday (Aug 25).
She added this initiative not only eases the people’s burden, but also promotes the value of compassion among Malaysians in line with the ‘Ihsan MADANI‘ agenda.
“This is not just a Rahmah box, but a box of love from one Malaysian to another. This is the value the government wants to highlight.”
MCA blasts claim as ‘unrealistic’
Fuziah’s remark was met with skepticism from the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), where it was slammed as “unrealistic”.
In a statement by MCA Youth Secretary General Saw Yee Fung, she said Fuziah’s comment “does not align with the actual lives that ordinary Malaysians are leading.”
“Even with two meals a day, that would still equate to 60 meals per person, with a total of 120 meals. With RM100 a month, that would mean that each meal would come to only 84 sen.
“To find a meal with this minimal amount of money, with basic nutritional needs, is an impossible task, let alone covering other daily expenses.
“Such remarks risk portraying the government as dismissive of people’s struggles, while shifting the burden of rising costs onto the public. They also raise doubts over whether policymakers genuinely understand the challenges faced by households,” the statement read.
Saw added that with subsidy rationalisation being in effect, the government must look into reviewing its price control mechanisms and social assistance measures.
“Without realistic and empathetic policies, the withdrawal of subsidies will place the greatest burden on vulnerable groups and threaten Malaysian social stability.”
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