KUCHING: Pending State Assemblywoman Violet Yong has urged the Ministry of Finance to immediately strengthen the security features of the ‘Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA)’ benefit linked to MyKad, warning that the current system exposes the public to theft and fraud.
She said there have been incidents where stolen or misplaced MyKads were misused by third parties to redeem the RM100 assistance, leaving victims unaware until it was too late.
“The MyKad is not only our national identification document but also a key to financial aid. Allowing benefits to be redeemed merely by presenting the card puts cardholders at risk,” she said in a statement today.
To address the issue, Yong proposed several safeguards, including the introduction of a mandatory PIN system or biometric verification, a 24/7 hotline and online portal to report lost cards and block linked benefits, SMS or email transaction alerts, and a nationwide awareness campaign on protecting the MyKad.
“This is a matter of protecting the rakyat’s personal security and ensuring public funds reach the intended recipients. Every ringgit of public assistance is hard-earned by taxpayers and must be safeguarded from opportunistic criminals,” she stressed.
While commending the Madani government for providing direct aid to ease the cost of living, Yong warned that without robust security measures, the SARA programme could become an easy target for fraudsters.
“I urge the Ministry of Finance to act swiftly and decisively to protect the integrity of this programme and the rightful entitlements of all Malaysians,” she added.
By Connie Chieng