High MyKad Scanner Cost Limits Cooperative Participation in SARA Programme
PETALING JAYA, Feb 12 — The high cost of MyKad scanning devices, priced at over RM10,000 per unit, has emerged as a key barrier preventing wider cooperative participation in the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme.
Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin said that to date, only about 100 cooperatives have joined the initiative as participating outlets, compared to more than 10,000 premises identified nationwide.
He explained that the substantial cost of the required equipment places a heavy financial burden on small cooperatives, particularly rural Coop Marts that lack the capital strength of major supermarket chains.
“Based on the latest reports, only slightly over 100 cooperatives have been able to participate. The primary obstacle is the need for specialised equipment, which is relatively expensive for smaller operators,” he said during a press conference following the Jom@Coop Jelajah Platinum 2026 programme.
Mohamad stressed that reliance on large supermarket chains alone would undermine the programme’s reach, especially in rural areas where cooperatives serve as the backbone of local economic activity.
“Major retailers may be able to absorb the cost, but for small cooperatives, acquiring equipment worth more than RM10,000 at short notice is simply unrealistic,” he said.
He urged the Malaysian Cooperative Commission (SKM), the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP), and the Cooperative Institute of Malaysia (IKMa) to engage with the Ministry of Finance to explore possible solutions, including subsidies to ease the financial burden.
According to him, expanding cooperative participation is crucial to ensure that government assistance under SARA reaches intended beneficiaries, particularly in underserved rural communities.
“We want cooperatives to be recognised as key drivers of the people’s economy, not merely entities dependent on government support,” he added.
-wilayah.com.my
