KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 -- The Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) and Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) should discuss more effective methods of distributing assistance for rubber smallholders so that the available assistance reaches the target group.

Rubber Tappers and Management Association of Kedah (Pergetah) chairman Mohd Taufik Yaacob said this is because of some assistance meant for the group prior to this, did not reach the group due to several issues.

“There are registered smallholders who are owners of rubber plantations in Kedah do not tap (rubber trees) themselves, they will hire others to do it. They are still working, but the assistance will be given to them instead of the real target group who faces rainy days and declining rubber prices,” he told Bernama here today.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng when tabling Budget 2020 in Parliament yesterday said the government will allocate RM200 million for Bantuan Musim Tengkujuh (Rainy Season Aid) to eligible rubber smallholders under the Risda and Lembaga Industri Getah Sabah (LIGS). 

The government will also allocate RM100 million for the Rubber Production Incentive in 2020 to enhance the income of smallholders facing low rubber prices.

Meanwhile Tanah Merah Pergetak Chairman, Izani Zakaria said the government must expand its assistance to rubber tappers to enable the affected people to balance their current high cost of living.

“In my opinion, the government at least should have announced a rubber floor price at RM3 and above to assist rubber tappers to manage their finances in the long run. Comprehensive assistance for the rubber tappers should be done following uncertain income to make a daily living,” he added.

“The allocation of RM200 million is one of the aid to help them, but it is temporary due to the difficult situation faced by the rubber tappers due to the drop in commodity prices,” he said, adding the price of rubber is only RM2.30 a kilo.

The National Fishermen’s Association (Nekmat) Chairman Abdul Hamid Bahari said about 40,000 fishermen nationwide welcome the announcement to increase the living allowance for fishermen from RM200 to RM250 a month.

He added this shows the government under Pakatan Harapan’s administration is committed and appreciates the hard work of the fishermen who goes to the sea as an income source.

Terengganu Fishermen Association (Penentu) Chairman Mat Yassin Mohamed said, although the increase in allowance is not enough, it is a positive sign that shows the government listens to their plight.

Sharing similar sentiment, Bachok Fishermen Association chairman, said the living allowance would reduce the burden of fishermen due to the rising cost of living, especially the price of most fishing equipment has doubled in Thailand following the recent fall of Ringgit. 

-- BERNAMA