RANAU: A total of 470 supermarket and grocery premises in Sabah are now part of the 4,152 nationwide outlets where Sara recipients can use their MyKad to purchase basic necessities.
Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said that apart from purchases at existing fixed premises, KPDN proposed that Sara assistance could also be used for purchases at the Mobile PJRM in the future.
This initiative, he said, allows Sara recipients, especially in rural and inland areas, to make purchases using the SARA assistance provided in the MyKad at the mobile PJRM locations.
According to him, for the state of Sabah, until July 2025, a total of RM410 million has been disbursed to 830,000 STR recipients.
He added that RM500 million has also been disbursed to 506,000 Sara recipients.
Armizan, who is also the Member of Parliament for Papar, said this while officiating the KPDN Carnival Tour Program 2025 and the Buy Malaysian Goods Campaign for the Sabah Zone held at the Ranau Sports Complex on Saturday.
The KPDN continues to organize the KPDN Carnival Tour Program and the Buy Malaysian Goods Campaign Series 2 for the 2025 Sabah Zone in Ranau.
The 3-day program from 25 to 27 July 2025 is expected to attract 60 thousand visitors.
The main objective of the organization is to popularize government services at the grassroots, especially services under the responsibility and functionality of the KPDN.
The KPDN Carnival 2025 also serves as a catalyst in strengthening the Buy Malaysian Goods Campaign (KBBM) 2025 through the theme “Let’s Buy Local” as continuous support for local products and strengthening the domestic economy.
Armizan added that this campaign is a strategic step to strengthen domestic economic growth while helping entrepreneurs and local micro, small and medium enterprises (PMKS) in expanding their market network.
“At the same time, this initiative provides space to highlight the quality of local products which can be the main choice and thus reduce dependence on imported goods.
“Additional Allocation for the Rahmah Madani Umbrella Initiative KPDN welcomes the additional allocation for the Rahmah Madani Sales Program (PJRM) of RM300 million announced by Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister on July 23, 2025.
“Through this additional allocation, KPDN will increase the frequency of PJRM implementation nationwide with a target of 20 thousand series of PJRM implementation throughout 2025,” he said.
For the state of Sabah, Armizan said that KPDN is targeting 2,276 series of PJRM throughout this year.
Starting from 1 January to 26 July 2025, a total of 1,089 series of PJRMs have been implemented in Sabah.
Expansion of Rahmah Basic Contribution (Sara) for All KPDN also welcomes and appreciates the initiatives and efforts focused on the well-being of the people through the additional allocation of Rahmah Cash Contribution (STR) and Rahmah Basic Contribution (Sara) from RM13 billion to RM15 billion for this year.
This additional RM2 billion is for a one-off Sara assistance of RM100 to all Malaysians aged 18 and above.
At the same time, he said, KPDN will collaborate with the Ministry of Finance (MOF) to expand access for Sara recipients to purchase basic necessities.
Meanwhile, about 60,000 visitors flocked to the 2025 KPDN Carnival Sabah Zone KBBM held over three days starting on Friday (July 25-27) at the Ranau Sports Complex (free admission).
KPDN Business Development Division Director Adiratno Che Ani said the target is also to chalk RM250,000 in sales value through the Buy Malaysian Goods Campaign (KBBM).
“A total of 60 entrepreneurs from Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia are present to market various products,including handicrafts, food and beauty products. All products are of good quality and comparable to foreign goods.
“Based on the response since this morning, I am confident the sales target of RM250,000 can be achieved when this programme ends on Sunday,” he said at the Ranau Sports Complex.
He said the KBBM themed “Jom Beli Lokal” (Buy Malaysian Goods), is also a platform for local entrepreneurs and micro, small and medium enterprises (PMKS) to expand their marketing network to boost the domestic economy.
Various interesting activities at booths provided include Arm-Wrestling, KPDN Little Stars Bintang Lokal (two karaoke contests with prize-money) colouring contest, the Mobile Legends E-Sports Sara Hidup/Living Costs competition (RM3,000 in prizes), the Cost of Living Expedition based on a fact-finding concept and a concert billed as The Band Showdown which features music as a medium for the cost of living message.
The big attraction is a Lucky Draw offering grand prizes of a Perodua Alza 1.5L (H), Proton S70 1.5T Premium and a Modenas Karisma EX 125 motorcycle.
Also present at the event were Ranau Member of Parliament Datuk Jonathan Yasin, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister and Paginatan Assemblyman Datuk Abidin Madingkir and others.
