By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 19: Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong has called to implement safeguards for the RM100 Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) aid that is automatically credited to a citizen’s MyKad, warning that the current system leaves the public vulnerable to theft and fraud.
In a statement, she said there have been incidents of stolen or misplaced MyKad being misused by unknown third parties to redeem the RM100 aid.
“Because the benefit can be accessed merely by presenting the card, victims lose their entitlement long before they even realise their identity card is missing.
“This situation is deeply worrying, as the MyKad is not only our national identification document but also a key to financial aid,” she said.
Therefore, she urged the Finance Ministry, in collaboration with the National Registration Department and relevant agencies, to implement the following safeguards:
- Mandatory personal identification number (PIN): Introduce a secure PIN system or biometric verification—such as fingerprint or facial recognition— before any withdrawal or redemption can take place.
- Instant loss reporting and blocking mechanism: Set up a 24/7 hotline and online portal where cardholders can immediately report a lost or stolen MyKad and have all linked benefits—particularly the RM100 credit—suspended at once.
- Transaction alerts: Provide SMS or email notifications whenever the RM100 is accessed or redeemed.
- Public awareness campaign: Launch a nationwide campaign to educate citizens on how to protect their MyKad, how to set a PIN once available, and how to report theft or loss quickly.
“This is a matter of protecting the rakyat’s personal security and ensuring that public funds reach the intended recipients. Every ringgit of public assistance is hard-earned by taxpayers and must be safeguarded from opportunistic criminals.
“The Madani government deserves credit for providing direct aid to ease the cost of living. But without robust security measures, the risks become an easy target for fraudsters,” she said.
On July 23, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a one-off RM100 cash aid for every Malaysian citizen aged 18 and above in conjunction with the National Day celebrations.
The special assistance, channelled under the SARA programme, is digitally accessible via MyKad and can be used to purchase essential goods at participating outlets nationwide from Aug 31 until Dec 31, 2025. — DayakDaily
