By S. Param
I welcome the Madani government’s initiative to continue its one-off SARA payment of RM100 for the rakyat for 2026. This payment will be credited into eligible MyKad recipients starting February 9, 2026.
I understand the unclaimed RM 100 of the one-off payment from the 2025 SARA program that expired on December 31st 2025 has been returned to the government for redistribution to other welfare bodies.
I, on behalf of animal lovers in the country, humbly appeal to the prime minister, who is also the finance minister, to consider allocating some money from this unused SARA program for the welfare of homeless animals under the care of animal shelters or for other animal welfare funds.
Many of the NGO managed shelters are facing acute financial problems of late.
These animal welfare NGOs have contributed immensely over the years in ensuring the welfare of the hundreds of homeless animals(cats and dogs ) in our environment are safe and not neglected.
These animal shelters which are managed by volunteers are playing an important role in our society in ensuring the safety and welfare of strays.These volunteer run animal shelters are helping the local councils to manage the stray population in our environment.
It is only fair for the government to consider the plight of these animal welfare organisations when distributing the unused 2025 RM 100 SARA funds.
Remember “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress will be judged by the way its animals are treated” – Mahatma Gandhi
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Ipoh Echo
