Resident Isham Isau, 38, said the assistance allows him to purchase basic items such as rice and cooking oil, while fresh food is sourced from the nearby forest and river.

“I rarely buy fish, chicken or vegetables from the shop. I usually gather local greens like pucuk paku and umbut nibung from the forest near my home,” he told FMT.

“I also rear chickens and ducks to support my family’s food needs. If I want fish, I go to the river and cast a net.”

Working part-time as a lorry driver, Isham said the additional support has brought a measure of stability, especially as living costs continue to rise.

He is among those eligible to receive monthly SARA assistance, which can be used to purchase essential items at selected outlets nationwide.

For Nurayunabila Shahieda Song, 35, a housewife living in the village with her husband and four young children, the support has made a noticeable difference.

She said the RM100 allocation helps ensure the household always has enough food, especially as her husband’s income as an electrician can be unpredictable.

“Before, we had to be very careful with our spending. Now, it really helps. You can see the difference – there is always food in the fridge and on the shelves,” said the Temuan community member.

The benefits also extend to older residents such as Ada Bujang, 68, who struggles with mobility and asthma. She relies on her grandchildren or neighbours to help purchase essentials, including special milk, using SARA.

For Nur Shahila Abdullah, 48, a single mother who lost her husband to Covid-19, SARA has been a lifeline during difficult periods.

“When we run out of rice in the middle of the month, I use the aid to buy basic groceries at the supermarket. Alhamdulillah, it helps a lot, especially in urgent situations,” she said.

In October, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the budget allocation of RM15 billion for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and SARA initiatives this year, benefiting nine million recipients.