Who To Blame For Rm100 Sara Aid Roll Out Glitches Mof S Incompetence Or Kiasu Malaysians

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THAT the Finance Ministry (MOF) and MyKasih have apologised for technical issues that affected some retail outlets when processing transactions for the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) cash assistance on Merdeka Day (Aug 31) has surely prompted the above question.
Glitches were reported yesterday at several outlets where a number of ‘impatient’ shoppers were unable to redeem their RM100 cash aid which came into effect from Aug 31 and will remain valid in their MyKad till Dec 31, thus forcing them to literally pay out of their own pockets.
In a joint statement, the ministry and MyKasih had acknowledged that their terminal system did experience delays in processing transactions due to a surge in purchase volume.
While purchases could still be made, some retail outlets might have difficulty processing them because of the heavy system demand.
Even then, MOF said “around 850,000 Malaysians have spent over RM50 mil as at 8.30pm on the first day itself with transaction system recovery efforts having been intensified”.

Reacting to a New Straits Times report of the MPF/MyKasih apology, a commenter wondered “why do people shop as if the government incentive is only valid on that particular day only”.
One justified that many hard-pressed Malaysians could have “already waited since the announcement to re-stock (their) essential items” while another already expected this “kiasu attitude with millions of people went to stampede Lotus, Mydin, Speedmart, etc”.


Targeting 22 million Malaysian MyKad holders aged 18 and above (born in 2007 or earlier), the one-off cash assistance was unveiled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on July 23 at a cost of RM2 bil as part of the Madani government’s grand appreciation to Malaysians.

This in addition to existing SARA and Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) assistance which will total up to RM15 bil this year.
Interestingly, there is a contrast in tome on the MOF Facebook with commenters tended to take the Madani government to task for the disruption.
“I suggest an apology video from the MOF’s top management to tide the anger of the public who were affected by this incident over,” fumed a commenter.
“It may not be that significant to some of us but for those who are truly desperate and need financial assistance, the situation of queuing for hours at the MyKasih counter will affect them badly”.

Another felt sorry for staff of the affected retail outlets who had to re-arrange the items in the trolley.

A few commenters proposed “giving cash by crediting the money into the recipients’ bank account like the STR” to avoid sudden spike in traffic volume and the system’s inability to cope.
“It’s better to give cash; all items can be bought, including filling up petrol for cars or to settle children’s school expenses,” one suggested.
“Hopefully, PMX can think of a more sensible way in the future. Past PMs had never handed out financial aid through IC (identity card) with limited choice of items and limited retail outlets to choose from.”

Another reckoned that the exercise could have been staggered, notably first week for senior citizens and OKU (people with disability) card holders and second week for the rest of Malaysians. 

- focus malaysia

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