KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 6): A survey of 1,000 people by the Malaysia Retail Chain Association found that 59% of them were unable to use the one-off RM100 government aid at their preferred shops to buy essentials, while 72% switched stores to do so.

The association, which represents 600 members with more than 40,000 outlets, said in a statement that the findings of the survey showed that gaps in store and product categories that qualify for Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) for All programme must be closed for the convenience of consumers.

The survey, which was done in August, found that 44% of respondents travelled further in order to access the aid at an eligible merchant, despite the majority of them citing proximity to home as a key reason to shop at an outlet.

Among those who could not use Sara, 35% said it was because their preferred outlet was not a partner merchant and 29% said the item they wanted was not eligible for redemption.  

Nearly 70% of those surveyed wanted fresh produce, such as vegetables, fruit, meat, poultry and seafood, to be included on the list of Sara-eligible items.

Almost all of the respondents wanted convenience stores and pharmacies to be among Sara's partner merchants.

The MRCA said this showed that Sara influences Malaysians' shopping habits, underscoring the need to expand the programme's coverage.

“The people should be able to utilise their Sara benefit at any place at their convenience — be it convenience stores, pharmacies, mini markets or supermarkets, etc,” said MRCA president Datuk Liew Bin.

Malaysians aged 18 and above, regardless of income level, are eligible for Sara for All, which was introduced in late 2025.

The RM100 aid is credited into the MyKad, enabling people to buy 15 categories of essential items at 13,500 outlets nationwide.  

Items eligible for redemption include non-perishable food, hygiene and cleaning products, and school supplies.