KUCHING: Member of Parliament for Bandar Kuching, Dr Kelvin Yii, is calling on more small and medium-sized supermarkets and grocery stores in Kuching to register under the Kedai MyKasih initiative, which is part of the ongoing Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) assistance programme.
He said that while the SARA programme has been running smoothly, many eligible retailers have yet to register as partner merchants. This has limited the accessibility of the initiative for low-income families who rely on the assistance to purchase daily essentials using their MyKad.
To address this gap, the DAP Kuching Service Centre will be assisting interested retailers with the registration process, including helping them submit the necessary information to the Ministry of Finance.
“This programme is a support system for low-income households and by using their MyKad, beneficiaries can buy basic necessities at participating stores. But for this to be truly effective, we need more local retailers to come on board,” Yii said in a press statement.
He explained that once registered, participating retailers will receive a free point-of-sale (POS) system and barcode scanner. Customers only need to present their MyKad during checkout, and the system will automatically read their information, process the scanned items, and issue a receipt for the transaction.
Retailers will also benefit from smooth and secure payment arrangements, with the total sales credited directly into their bank accounts twice a week by the relevant government agencies.
“This initiative not only helps needy families but also benefits small businesses by bringing in more customers and increasing revenue. It’s a win-win for everyone,” he added.
Retailers who are interested in signing up as Kedai MyKasih partner merchants are encouraged to visit the DAP Kuching Service Centre. For further assistance, they may also contact Dr Yii’s special assistants George Lam at 011–25181872 or Lesley Chong at 019–8567887.
By Connie Chieng