By Doreen Ling
LUNDU, June 20: The Ministry of Finance (MOF) aims to expand its Mini Mobile Community Services (Mini-MCS) initiative to more locations nationwide to ensure government assistance reaches intended recipients, particularly those with limited access to government services and financial institutions.
According to Second Finance Minister Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, the Mini-MCS represents the MOF’s latest approach in delivering the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) disbursement programme for identified rural and remote areas nationwide.
“We encourage more government agencies to go to the ground to ensure that assistance reaches its intended recipients, particularly those who face difficulties accessing government services and financial institutions,” he said during a media briefing in conjunction with the STR Cash Disbursement Programme here today, in which a copy of his speaking points was made available to the media.
He also noted that Sarawak has shown excellent performance in the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme, with 99 per cent of recipients using their MyKad to make purchases at registered stores and proving that the MyKad-based mechanism is simple, secure, and accessible throughout the State.
In addition, he said that the year-on-year increase in allocations for STR and SARA demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening the social safety net.
For this year, RM15 billion has been allocated for the STR and SARA programmes, compared to RM10 billion in 2024, with eligible recipients receiving SARA credits ranging from RM600 to RM2,400 annually, or up to RM2,500, including the one-off SARA Appreciation assistance.
“As of June 16, the number of SARA merchant partners nationwide has increased to 13,491 stores, up from just 700 stores in 2024. This number will continue to grow over time. This demonstrates that the STR and SARA programmes also generate economic spillover benefits for local businesses.
Touching on the STR Cash Disbursement Programme, he said it is to facilitate STR recipients who do not have bank accounts, enabling them to make cash claims using their MyKad.
This year, the programme is being implemented at 17 locations in Sabah and 20 locations in Sarawak, and STR recipients without bank accounts can also make cash claims at Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) branches nationwide.
Meanwhile, according to a media statement, the STR disbursement programme here involved more than 250 recipients.
It noted that today’s programme was one of several sessions conducted at 20 locations involving 4,105 STR and SARA recipients in rural areas of Sarawak who do not have bank accounts.
In addition, 11 agencies participated in the Mini-MCS programme today, including the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN), Employees Provident Fund (EPF), BSN, the Sarawak Treasury, District Office, Social Welfare Department (JKM), MyKasih Foundation, Accountant General’s Department of Malaysia (JANM), Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and MySalam service counters. — DayakDaily
