KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM255mil has been allocated through the Rural and Regional Development Ministry to ease the burden of rubber smallholders affected by this year’s monsoon season, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the payments were disbursed by three agencies, namely the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda), Sabah Rubber Industry Board (LIGS) and Federal Land Development Authority (Felda).
So far, a total of 311,596 applications have been received from the 318,750 individuals targeted to receive the aid, he said.
Ahmad Zahid said Risda had received 230,735 applications, while LIGS and Felda received 69,077 and 11,784 applications respectively.
“On the disbursement of the aid, the three agencies had so far disbursed RM140,829,600, with Risda disbursing RM76,140,800, LIGS (RM55,261,600) and Felda (RM9,427,200),” he said in a statement here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Ahmad Zahid said as of this month, a total of 271,213 applications had been approved, with the applicants having received payments of RM200 for November and December this year.
He said the remaining payment would be credited into the recipients’ account in January and February next year, bringing the total payment amount to RM800.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said those eligible to receive the Monsoon Season Aid (Bantuan Musim Tengkujuh) through Risda were smallholders with rubber plantations not exceeding 2.5ha.
“The government hopes that the effort will have a positive impact on socio-economic development, as well as bring about an improvement in the quality of life of smallholders,” he added.
