Kuching: A Kuching resident has discovered that his RM100 SARA aid was fraudulently used despite never losing his MyKad or making any purchases under the programme, raising questions about the security of the government’s aid disbursement system.
According to DAPSY Sarawak Secretary George Lam, the victim only realised the issue when he attempted to use his SARA aid for the first time and found that only RM5 remained in his balance.
“The victim was shocked to find that his funds were almost entirely depleted even though he had never used the SARA system and had not misplaced his MyKad,” Lam said in a statement.
Lam noted that previous cases of SARA fund misuse were typically linked to lost MyKads, but this is the first known case in which such misuse occurred without any loss of the identification card.
“I understand that there were earlier cases involving SARA misuse due to lost MyKads. However, in this instance, the MyKad was never lost. This points to the possibility of data leakage or insufficient system security,” he said.
Lam, who was approached by the victim for assistance, said he had helped the individual file an official inquiry with the Ministry of Finance to investigate the matter further.
He urged the Ministry of Finance and the National Registration Department to enhance security measures within the SARA purchasing process, warning that the incident highlights potential flaws in the current system.
“With the government now channelling aid directly through the MyKad system as part of its subsidy rationalisation efforts, these cases show that stronger safeguards are urgently needed to protect public funds,” Lam said.
He suggested introducing additional security features such as a six-digit PIN or two-step verification to prevent unauthorised transactions.
“I call upon the federal government to treat such incidents with utmost seriousness and to conduct a thorough investigation. We must ensure that the SARA programme truly fulfils its purpose – to assist and protect the people,” he added.
The SARA (Sumbangan Asas Rahmah) programme is part of the federal government’s initiative to provide basic financial assistance to eligible low-income groups, with funds disbursed through the MyKad for ease of access.
