Chaos in Malaysia: RM100 MyKasih Payout Sparks Supermarket Meltdown
What was meant to be a helping hand for Malaysians turned into a full-blown supermarket nightmare. The Malaysian government’s MyKasih aid programme, which provides RM100 (around S$29) in welfare credits, saw its system crash just days after being rolled out.
Shoppers who rushed to redeem their allowance were left stranded at checkout counters when the platform went offline. Instead of paying, many abandoned their trolleys, leaving piles of goods for staff to repack. Videos and photos quickly spread online, drawing comparisons to Singapore’s CDC vouchers — with some netizens dubbing it “CDC but the Malaysia version.”
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with queues stretching for hours and tempers flaring. “It’s like free money dropped from the sky, but the system cannot handle it,” one frustrated customer said.
Public Frustration Over Welfare Rollout
Social media in Malaysia lit up with angry comments, with many criticising the authorities for poor planning. Some pointed out that the RM100 benefit could be redeemed until December, yet many rushed on the first day as if it were a flash sale.
Others blamed the government for relying on an unstable digital system instead of directly crediting cash into bank accounts. “If just put money straight inside, won’t have this mess,” one commenter wrote, echoing a common sentiment.
Store workers were also caught in the storm. Many had to clear abandoned carts while handling irate customers, leading to complaints that the scheme placed unnecessary pressure on frontline staff.
A Lesson for Singapore?
The fiasco has not gone unnoticed across the Causeway. In Singapore, where CDC vouchers are a familiar part of life, some netizens highlighted that the Malaysian incident shows the importance of smooth digital infrastructure.
Others joked that if a similar crash happened here, the kiasu culture would see even longer queues and bigger meltdowns. Still, the episode serves as a reminder that welfare schemes — no matter how well-meaning — can backfire if implementation is flawed.
For Malaysians, the RM100 aid was supposed to ease the cost of living. Instead, it ended up sparking a supermarket drama that many will not forget anytime soon.