RM67.62 million monsoon season aid to help Sabah smallholders | Borneo Post Online

KOTA BELUD (Sept 27): The government has allocated RM67.62 million for the 2025 Sabah Monsoon Season Financial Aid (BMT), which is expected to benefit 84,534 smallholders and rubber tappers across the state. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said of the total, 3,746 recipients are under the supervision of the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA), while the remaining 80,788 will receive assistance through the Sabah Rubber Industry Board (LIGS). He said each recipient would receive RM800, to be disbursed in stages beginning November 2025, aiming to ease income losses during the monsoon season. "Since its introduction in 2018, BMT has become a key platform for the government to support rural communities, ensuring that they benefit from the nation's inclusive and equitable development," he said when launching the RISDA MADANI (PRISMA) Sabah 2025 at Padang Pekan Kota Belud here today. The Minister of Rural and Regional Development added that the government has allocated RM44.42 million this year specifically for the development of over 30,000 smallholders in Sabah. On PRISMA, Ahmad Zahid said the initiative reflects RISDA's dedication to ensuring every service and development programme reaches the public directly and comprehensively. "As I have often emphasised, initiatives such as boosting rubber productivity, expanding sales of treated rubberwood, empowering RISDA companies, and broadening marketing networks for entrepreneurs through the RisSMart platform must be implemented systematically, strategically, and inclusively," he said. He also expressed hope that PRISMA would be viewed not merely as an annual programme but as a platform to empower rural entrepreneurs in Sabah, expand market networks, improve product competitiveness, and build a more sustainable local economy. At the event, RISDA unveiled a new logo symbolising the agency's transformation aspirations after more than five decades of operation, representing a modern, competitive identity and a commitment to driving the development of the commodity sector. RISDA also distributed RM73,000 in corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions from its foundation to 600 recipients affected by recent floods and landslides. Ahmad Zahid earlier urged RISDA to introduce new technology in rubber tapping for the benefit of smallholders. He said such innovations are crucial to address issues such as labour shortages and the monsoon season. "With the latest technology, smallholders will not only save energy but also be able to tap rubber even during the rainy season," he said. Ahmad Zahid added Malaysia remains behind in global latex production, forcing the country to import the material at a cost of up to RM6 billion. As part of efforts to boost local output, he said RISDA has agreed to build at least one new rubber depot in every district. "Of course, we want these depots to be equipped with advanced technology and staffed by skilled workers to enhance latex production. This will help reduce imports and position Malaysia as a leading latex producer in the future," he said. Ahmad Zahid also expressed hope that RISDA will find ways to ensure natural rubber remains a key material for local industries. "This is important as synthetic rubber has increasingly taken over the role of natural rubber. I hope RISDA will work with scientists and other experts to address this challenge," he added.