Kuala Lumpur: A total of 331,146 rubber smallholders registered with the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) are expected to receive the benefits of the Monsoon Season Assistance (BMT) this year. Rural and Regional Development Deputy Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang announced the distribution plan during an oral question and answer session at the Dewan Rakyat.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the assistance will cover 51,433 participants in Sarawak, 42,978 in Kelantan, 39,604 in Kedah, 24,237 in Pahang, 19,485 in Perak, 18,021 in Negeri Sembilan, 11,913 in Johor, 11,669 in Terengganu, 6,309 in Sabah, and 4,659 in Melaka. Additionally, smaller numbers of participants will receive the assistance in Selangor (1,616), Penang (563), Perlis (552), Sabah Rubber Industry Board (86,323), and the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) (11,784).

Datuk Rubiah Wang emphasized that the BMT data is updated from June to September every year to ensure accuracy and inclusivity in the distribution process. The updates aim to ensure no target group is left out of the assistance program, as confirmed during her response to Kamal Ashaari (PN-Kuala Kurau) who inquired about the smallholder whitewashing process carried out through RISDA.

Furthermore, Rubiah highlighted the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development's efforts, through RISDA, to maintain rubber as a key commodity crop in the country despite a decline in the number of rubber farmers. The Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Plantations and Commodities, is committed to increasing rubber production. This includes providing incentives to smallholders to enhance the sale of latex, moving beyond the current focus on scrap rubber sales.