KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed almost flat on Tuesday as buying interest rotated away from index heavyweights towards smaller-cap construction stocks, with sentiment affected by geopolitical uncertainty, said an analyst. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 0.39 of a point to 1,714.40 from Monday’s close of 1,714.79. The benchmark index opened 1.65 points lower at 1,713.14 and moved between 1,710.44 and 1,714.50 throughout the trading session. The broader market was almost evenly balanced, with decliners leading gainers 548 to 546, while 598 counters were unchanged, 1,107 were untraded and 25 were suspended. Turnover expanded to 4.13 billion units valued at RM3.14 billion from 3.60 billion units valued at RM2.45 billion on Monday.
Government Expands Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) Initiative to Support 5.4 Million Recipients from April
The Malaysian government has announced the expansion of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) initiative, set to begin on April 1 , 2025. The scheme, which targets assistance for low-income individuals and households, will now benefit 5.4 million recipients , a substantial increase from the previous 700,000 beneficiaries. In an official statement, the Ministry of Finance revealed that eligible recipients will receive up to RM2,100 in aid, marking a 75% increase from the RM1,200 aid given in 2024. This increase is part of a larger effort to redistribute a portion of Malaysia’s higher revenue and subsidy savings to those in need. Key Highlights of the Sara Initiative : Targeted Assistance : The Sara initiative is designed to provide financial aid to the country's most vulnerable populations. Recipients will receive the aid through their MyKad , which can be used to purchase essential goods. Increased Coverage : The scheme will n...