Coming to the last season of 2025, the hottest topics are not about the weather or the festival, but about the money.

First of all, it was the RM100 SARA cash assistance program. Every citizen is entitled to RM100 to purchase essential goods. Immediately after it was launched, the public rushed to the grocers, so when the system was down, voices of sarcasm and complaints started to appear, although the program’s expiry date is on 31st Dec.   
Closely after this, the long-anticipated “Rationalised subsidy” Budi 95 was launched, a petrol subsidy of RM1.99 per litre for every citizen, which is RM0.61 cheaper than the original price. When the news was released, it again drew rounds of support or opposition.
Nowadays, it is not easy to satisfy everyone.

One thing that should come to our attention is that both programs have one thing in common, i.e. the identification card to receive these benefits. As long as you own a chipped Malaysian Identification Card, then the RM100 will be credited automatically. Whenever you show your Identity Card upon topping up the car’s fuel, the petrol price will be automatically reduced. We are so blessed to be Malaysian citizens.     

However, when we ponder deeper, how about those who do not have an identification card? Especially to those who have resided in Malaysia for decades and hold a “Red Identification Card”, or the indigenous people who live in the deep interior. ¹They, who were born in Malaysia, ended up with an unclear status due to transport inconveniences in those days, which had hindered them from processing their birth certificates or identification cards. Should their suffering turn from bad to worse because of policies or procedures?          

As for the Identification Card, I think what is more important is the identity. Paper certification is an add-on; it is only a card. While identity is inborn, it is a belonging. Do we lose our identity as a helper when we do not possess a card? Recently, someone asked me, “Shall we take this opportunity and come out with a plan to raise resources from these subsidies?” I carefully thought about it. For all these times, we, the 7979 department, had been raising funds under HISTEAM with projects such as the “7979 Challenger’s Camp”, Charity Golf, Kuantan Charity Carnival, etc. Hence, we don’t need to disrupt our planned fundraising activities, because what we are promoting and encouraging is: “Everyone is a Helper.”              

​A helper does not need a policy to motivate; it is out of one’s own initiative to do good at any time and anywhere. One action, or one phone call, filing a report on child abuse, or an online donation, is all it takes to extend a helping hand at the defining moment. 

Together, let’s “Go Save, Go Save”, living out the identity of a helper. 

¹ Oriental Daily News. (2019, September 22). [Wen Hui] Children in attap houses （《文汇》：亚答屋里的孩子）. https://www.orientaldaily.com.my/news/wenhui/2019/09/22/307372