How could SARA aid have used existing digital infrastructure?

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SARA Aid Could Have Leveraged Malaysia's Advanced Digital Payment Ecosystem

The RM100 SARA (Sumbangan Asas Rahmah) aid distribution could have significantly benefited from Malaysia's well-established digital payment infrastructure, which boasts one of the highest mobile wallet adoption rates globally, reaching 88% in 2024. Platforms like Touch ‘n Go eWallet and GrabPay are already integrated into the daily lives of millions and possess the capacity to handle substantial transaction volumes, suggesting a more efficient and reliable disbursement method.
Integration with Widely Adopted E-wallets

Utilising existing e-wallets such as Touch ‘n Go eWallet and GrabPay would have allowed for direct transfer of the SARA aid to recipients' preferred digital accounts. These platforms are not only capable of managing large-scale, concurrent transactions but are also actively used by a significant portion of the Malaysian population for everyday purchases, demonstrating their readiness for such a disbursement.
Enhanced Merchant Access and Transaction Speed

Disbursing the aid directly to citizens' e-wallets would have enabled recipients to utilise the funds across a much broader spectrum of merchants. This includes small businesses and local vendors, such as roadside stalls, that are already part of the DuitNow QR ecosystem, facilitating wider acceptance and immediate usability of the funds.
Overcoming Bottlenecks of Proprietary Systems

The decision to opt for a closed-loop, proprietary system for the SARA aid created an unnecessary bottleneck. By contrast, leveraging the existing mature and open digital payment ecosystem, which includes widely adopted e-wallets and the DuitNow QR network, would have offered a more streamlined and robust solution, avoiding the technical failures and processing delays that were reported during the initial rollout.

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How could SARA aid have used existing digital infrastructure?

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