Azmin on Risda allocation: Dr M insisted the poor receive financial aid

Azmin said that 2018 was a

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad insisted that the poor, especially rubber tappers, receive aid despite the country's financial difficulties, says the Economic Affairs Minister.

“Dr Mahathir is concerned about the hardship faced by rubber tappers and smallholders,” said Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.

“Even though the government is facing financial constraints, the prime minister stressed that the agenda to help low-income earners, particularly rubber tappers and smallholders, should be prioritised by the relevant ministries,” he added.

Azmin was speaking about the RM164.78mil aid to help Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) farmers whose incomes have been affected by the monsoon season.

Azmin said as the ministry overseeing Risda, the Economic Affairs Ministry has lobbied for rubber smallholders to receive assistance under the Monsoon Season Aid (BMT) scheme, especially since they have been affected by falling commodity prices.

“Through close cooperation between the Economic Affairs and Finance ministries, the government decided to allocate RM164,783,400 as Monsoon Season Aid for 274,639 rubber smallholders who are registered with Risda.

“The Economic Affairs Ministry is committed to championing the welfare of rubber smallholders to create an inclusive economic development,” he added.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng announced the special allocation on Friday (Dec 21).

Lim said this assistance would help 255,997 smallholders who manage their own farm and 18,642 non-owners rubber tappers who manage farming areas of not more than 2.5ha.

The RM600 aid would be paid out in two instalments to each smallholder. The first instalment worth RM300 would be paid by the end of the year, while the other half would be paid out early next year.