00:00Retailers and small and medium-sized enterprises have seen a surge in sales thanks to the RM13
00:08billion Sumbangan Tunai Rahma and Sumbangan Asas Rahma Aid initiatives this year, said
00:13Federation of Malaysian Business Associations' advisor, Amir Ali Maiden.
00:18Amir, who is also the managing director of the Maiden hypermarket chain, said the public's
00:23increased purchasing power has doubled sales at their business locations each time STR
00:29and SARA payments were dispersed.
00:32He said he expected sales at the 1,200 retailers nationwide under the SARA program to continue
00:38to soar following the government's decision to raise the allocation to RM200 a month starting
00:43next month, up from RM100 allocated from January to March.
00:48The SARA assistance rate for its 700,000 recipients has been increased to RM2,100 this year, up
00:55from RM1,200 in 2024, while the STR involves around 4.7 million households in various categories.
01:03Meanwhile, the Small and Medium Enterprises Association also acknowledged STR and SARA's
01:09positive impact in easing Malaysians' financial burden and boosting sales for retailers.
01:16Its president, William Ng, said he hoped the government will extend the program to
01:20more retail business owners to further stimulate the local economy.
01:25Natasha Biest, FMT.
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