KUCHING: Wong King Yii has called on the Government to expand the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme to cover fruits and vegetables, citing their importance for health and affordability.
“The SARA programme provides valuable relief to households facing rising living costs, but it can be strengthened by including fruits and vegetables,” Wong said.
“Many families struggle to meet daily nutritional needs, which could have long-term consequences for public health and national development.”
He pointed to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023, which found that 95.1% of Malaysian adults do not consume enough fruits and vegetables, and highlighted the rise in non-communicable diseases like diabetes. Wong said expanding SARA could promote healthier diets, reduce disease prevalence, and ease the burden on healthcare spending.
“The policy is good, but it can be better. I urge the Government to broaden SARA’s scope to help families manage costs and build a healthier Malaysia,” he added.