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Cashless toll payments secure aid for 1,000 low-income families

Posted on in Media Coverage

Wednesday, 16 Apr 2025

Thanks to transactions of MyDebit users at four tolled highways, 1,000 families from the B40 group have received financial aid.

Amanat Lebuhraya Rakyat (ALR), in collaboration with Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet) and MyKasih Foundation, celebrated a major milestone as the “Sentuhan Iklas” campaign hit five million MyDebit transactions.

The milestone unlocked the final RM250,000 pledge, providing 500 low-income families across Malaysia with financial aid.

Sentuhan Ikhlas, launched on Sept 26 last year, transformed everyday toll payments into an opportunity to support B40 families.

Each MyDebit transaction at ALR highways – Damansara-Puchong Highway, Shah Alam Expressway, Sprint Highway and SMART Tunnel – contributed towards a growing pool of funds.

Support from Malaysians drove the campaign forward, with 2.5 million transactions achieved in December last year and RM250,000 in aid unlocked for 500 families in Lembah Pantai and Gombak in Klang Valley as well as Sungai Petani and Jitra in Kedah.

The final milestone of five million transactions benefitted families in Gombak, Ayer Keroh (Melaka) and Muar (Johor), giving them RM500 each for necessities at participating outlets.

ALR group chief executive officer Muhammad Nizam Alias said, “Sentuhan Ikhlas is a direct reflection of ALR, PayNet and MyKasih’s shared purpose of sustainable social impact.

“It shows how choosing MyDebit for toll payments can have a meaningful impact on the lives of many.”

PayNet commercial division senior director Azrul Fakhzan Mainor said, “This campaign showcases how digital payments can go beyond convenience to drive shared prosperity.”

‘Teringin hendak makan, seumur hidup tidak pernah dapat’

Posted on in Media Coverage

NURUL HIDAYAH HAMID – 12 April 2025

SHAH ALAM – Perkongsian video seorang wanita mengenai reaksi bapanya selepas dapat membeli ‘corn dog’ iaitu sosej disalut tepung dengan inti keju dan air minuman menggunakan lebihan wang bantuan Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) mengundang rasa sebak dalam kalangan netizen.

Menerusi video TikTok dikongsikan melalui akaun kaksha_9, kelihatan seorang lelaki warga emas tersenyum gembira sambil menunjukkan makanan tidak pernah dirasai yang dibelinya.

Menerusi rakaman video itu, lelaki warga emas terbabit memaklumkan dia membeli makanan tersebut kerana teringin merasainya.

“Teringin hendak makan. Seumur hidup tidak pernah dapat,” katanya.

Menurut Nur Fatin Sathirah Ahmad Shukri, 32, kejadian tersebut berlaku ketika ibunya, Hayati Zakaria, 55, dan bapanya, Ahmad Shukri Ibrahim, 62, dalam perjalanan pulang selepas membeli barang keperluan di sekitar Jitra.

“Selepas membeli beberapa barangan keperluan asas seperti beras, minyak masak dan air kordial menggunakan wang bantuan sebanyak RM100 tersebut.

“Ibu cerita, ayah tiba-tiba mengatakan keinginannya untuk merasai ‘corn dog’ kerana seumur hidup tidak pernah dapat bantuan seperti itu. Jadi bila ada peluang, dia hendak juga cuba,” katanya kepada Sinar Harian pada Jumaat.

Nur Fatin Shatirah berkata, ibu bapanya dapat menjimatkan perbelanjaan barang dapur mereka sekali gus mempunyai sedikit lebih wang untuk membeli ‘corn dog’ yang diinginkan.

“Apabila ada sedikit lebihan wang, barulah ayah membeli ‘corn dog’ dan air untuk dirinya,” jelasnya lagi.

Menurutnya, ibunya merakamkan video reaksi bapanya itu, sebelum menghantar rakaman kepada dirinya dan dia kemudiannya memuat naik di TikTok secara suka-suka seperti biasa.

Kongsi wanita itu, bapanya merupakan seorang individu yang ceria dan murah senyuman, malah mereka sekeluarga tidak menjangka video berkenaan boleh meraih perhatian ramai.

Nur Fatin Sathirah mengucapkan terima kasih kepada semua pihak yang mendoakan dan berkongsi kegembiraan keluarga mereka serta menyifatkan program MySara sangat membantu rakyat yang memerlukan.

Setakat ini, video berdurasi 49 saat terbabit telah meraih lebih 1 juta tontonan dengan 166,500 tanda suka dan 4,632 komen.

Increase In SARA Aid Eases Burden Of Rural Sarawak Families

Posted on in Media Coverage

SIBU, April 11 (Bernama) — The increase in Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) rate to RM200 per month, effective this month, has brought significant SIBU, April 11 (Bernama) — The increase in Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) rate to RM200 per month, effective this month, has brought significant relief to low-income families in rural Sarawak, particularly in coping with the rising cost of living.

Civil servant Austin Nuyang Joseph, 49, from the Nanga Tada Resettlement Scheme in Kanowit, welcomed the government’s move, saying the additional assistance has been very helpful in managing his household expenses.

“My only daughter is currently studying at the Teacher Education Institute in Sabah.

I’m the sole breadwinner, while my wife is a homemaker,” he told Bernama.

“With the increased SARA allowance, I’m able to purchase kitchen essentials, allowing me to allocate more of my monthly salary towards supporting my daughter,” he said when contacted by Bernama.

Austin, who also receives Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) of RM750 a year, said the financial assistance is especially beneficial when unexpected expenses arise.

“I save the STR assistance for emergencies, especially during my child’s semester breaks.

After purchasing a flight ticket, our kitchen budget usually becomes quite limited — so this aid truly makes a difference,” he added.

The MADANI government had announced an increase in the SARA assistance to RM2,100 annually for the poor and hardcore poor households registered under the eKasih system — a significant jump from RM1,200 provided last year.

This enhanced allocation is seen as a crucial step in supporting vulnerable groups amid ongoing economic challenges.

Between January and March 2025, recipients will receive RM100 monthly directly credited to their MyKad accounts.

Beginning April 1, the monthly amount will increase to RM200, benefiting an expanded pool of 5.4 million recipients.

Meanwhile, Phase Two STR, which began on March 24, involved 8.5 million recipients, representing about 60 per cent of Malaysian adults — with total disbursements amounting to RM650.

Housewife Cheria Maran, 32, from Sungai Mador in Bintangor, also expressed her gratitude for the assistance received.

She shared that her main expenses are focused on kitchen necessities and baby formula.

“Some may see the amount as small, but for us in rural areas, where the cost of goods is sometimes even higher than in the city, this assistance makes a big difference.

“When part of the financial burden is lifted, the emotional and mental stress is also reduced.

That’s something many people don’t realise,” she said.

She added that almost all shops in small towns such as Bintangor and Sarikei have been registered under the programme, enabling recipients to purchase essential items simply by using their MyKad.