‘SARA Scope Proposed to Be Expanded to Purchase of Nutritious Food’

PUTRAJAYA: The scope of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) is proposed to be expanded to the purchase of nutritious food including fruits, vegetables and fresh protein sources to help improve public access to healthier nutrition.

Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said the proposal was agreed upon at the National Cost of Living Action Council (NACCOL) Executive Committee Meeting today to be submitted for consideration at the National Cost of Living Action Council Meeting chaired by the Prime Minister.

He said, the step is important so that government assistance not only helps increase the people’s purchasing power, but also encourages access to more nutritious food.

“I stress that the cost of living issue cannot be viewed solely from the price of goods on supermarket shelves; it must be addressed comprehensively from production costs and supply chains, the ability to afford nutritious food, health and education costs right through to protection for vulnerable groups.

“That is why every policy must be evaluated based on its impact on the real lives of the people,” he said in a statement today.

Ahmad Zahid said, the meeting also examined in depth the direction of Local White Rice (BPT) to ensure that the interests of consumers and the sustainability of the local paddy and rice industry can be balanced.

He explained, among the matters given attention is the proposed transition or ‘soft landing’ mechanism through a subsidised rice programme to ensure that vulnerable groups continue to be protected before any policy changes are implemented comprehensively.

In addition, he said, the government takes seriously the cost pressures faced by the business, logistics and agrifood sectors.

“Geopolitical developments including uncertainty in West Asia, import compliance costs and the impact of subsidy targeting on food production costs need to continue to be monitored so that they are not translated into price increases that burden consumers.

“Relevant agencies have been asked to continue refining existing mechanisms including targeted assistance to farmers, fishermen and affected groups,” he said.

In the health aspect, the meeting took note of the progress of the 11 RESET initiatives currently being implemented to help address private healthcare costs, expand access and provide more choices to the people.

He said, these efforts are part of the government’s more comprehensive approach under the Cost of Living Action Plan 2030, so that cost of living pressures can be addressed across sectors, not in isolation.

“The government also remains committed to ensuring that education costs do not become an obstacle to human capital development. Based on the mapping of 13 tertiary education assistance programmes, a total of 62,937 Form Six and university students received assistance in 2025 with a total value of RM589.6 million.

“Assistance like this needs to continue to be strengthened so that children from every level of society have equal opportunities to pursue education,” he said.

Berita Harian