'Just give us cash': Malaysians criticise flawed MyKasih system as RM100 credit rollout falters

SHAH ALAM – Following the recent announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, millions of Malaysians were eager to redeem the RM100 one-off Sara credit, available to all citizens aged 18 and above, regardless of income, starting on Aug 31.

The aid, disbursed under the “Sara Untuk Semua” initiative, is credited via MyKad and can be used for cashless purchases at selected outlets nationwide.

While the programme was well-received in principle, its execution has drawn sharp criticism.

Over the weekend and into the start of the week, technical disruptions and system crashes left many Malaysians unable to complete their transactions.

The unexpected failure of the MyKasih payment terminals forced shoppers to either pay out-of-pocket or abandon their items, leading to scenes of half-filled trolleys left behind in stores across the country.

The issue, believed to be caused by a high volume of transactions on the first day, was made worse by the limited number of participating outlets and eligible items, frustrating many who travelled specifically to redeem their entitlement.

Social media quickly lit up with complaints from affected recipients, many of whom called for the government to reconsider the method of disbursement, proposing direct bank transfers as a simpler, more reliable alternative.

On the Threads platform, many users have expressed their frustrations over the system issues.

One user, @amiza.rhzd, wrote: “MySara’s down again… doesn’t feel like it’s helping anymore. Bought three packs of milk but had to return two. I was lucky to have RM50 in cash. What about those with nothing left? My child only has two scoops of formula left. I’ve got a bit of money, what about those who don’t?”

Another user, @thefalixphoto, added: “This MyKasih system just complicates things. It would've been easier to transfer the money to our bank accounts. People fill their trolleys and the system crashes at the till. Long queues, and elderly folks standing for ages. Why not plan this better?”

@nzrlrzk_ commented: “Are we supposed to be able to shop or not? Same story every day! I went to 99 Speedmart again and the system’s still offline. Just give us TnG or cash. Why make it so difficult?”

@bungaros33 also stated: “Why wait until checkout to tell us the system’s down? Thankfully my friend was with me and helped cover the extra RM3 I needed. I only had RM11 on me. No staff notified us when we walked in. Loads of people came to claim MyKasih and left empty-handed.”

In response to mounting pressure, the Finance Ministry and MyKasih Foundation issued a joint statement of apology, stating that the unexpected surge in transactions had overwhelmed the system.

“Following the exceptionally high number of transactions on the first day of Sara disbursements, MyKasih terminals experienced processing delays due to the surge in purchase volumes,” the statement read.

While purchases can still be made, some retail outlets are still experiencing ongoing issues. Both the ministry and MyKasih assured the public that the technical team is actively working to resolve the matter and restore system stability.

“The MyKasih technical team is actively working to resolve this issue. We expect the system to return to normal operations soon,” the statement added.

The RM100 credit, part of the wider Sara targeted assistance programme, is expected to benefit around 22 million adults, with the government allocating RM2 billion for this rollout.

It complements ongoing Sara and Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) support, which in total amounts to RM15 billion this year.

For those planning to redeem the government's Sara assistance, it is advised to remain patient for the time being.

You can check the MySara app to view eligible items and participating outlets where the RM100 credit can be used.