The government is considering expanding the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) scheme to include fresh food such as fruits, vegetables and protein sources as part of efforts to improve access to healthier diets.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the proposal would be submitted to the National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol), chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, for consideration.
He said expanding the assistance to cover fresh produce would represent an important step towards helping Malaysians access more nutritious food options, particularly amid ongoing concerns over household living costs.
“This is an important step to improve access to healthier diets,” he said in a statement after chairing the 18th meeting of Naccol’s executive committee today.
The monthly SARA programme currently covers 15 categories of essential goods, including eggs, bread, canned food and, more recently, frozen food. The initiative currently benefits 8.1 million recipients, comprising 3.7 million households, 1.3 million senior citizens without spouses and 3.1 million single adults.
Separately, more than 22 million Malaysians aged 18 and above received a one-off RM100 credit under the SARA programme this year.
Zahid said the meeting also examined the direction of the country’s local white rice policy, with the aim of balancing consumers’ needs with the long-term sustainability of the local padi and rice industry.
He said discussions also covered a proposed subsidised rice programme to ensure vulnerable groups would continue receiving protection as the government reviews measures related to food affordability.
On healthcare, Zahid said Naccol reviewed the implementation of 11 initiatives under the government’s RESET strategy, which focuses on controlling private healthcare costs while widening public access to treatment.
He said the efforts were part of the Cost of Living Action Plan 2030, which adopts a coordinated approach to addressing living costs instead of relying on isolated measures.
Meanwhile, Zahid said 62,937 Form Six and university students received RM589.6 million in assistance last year through 13 tertiary education aid schemes.
He stressed that such assistance should continue to be strengthened so children from all backgrounds have a fair opportunity to pursue higher education.
