Application process for Monsoon Season Aid begins — Minister
PUTRAJAYA: The application process for Monsoon Season Aid has begun yesterday, says Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong.
According to him, the financial aid is to ensure that the welfare of rubber smallholders and tappers would be safeguarded during the monsoon season through the federal government’s total allocation of RM261 million.
He added that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had announced a monthly financial aid of RM200 running for three months ( November this year till next January) to 440,000 rubber smallholders and rubber tappers nationwide for the coming monsoon season.
“The Monsoon Season Aid is a first- of- its- kind measure introduced to ease the financial burden of the rubber smallholders and tappers as their main source of monthly income would be severely affected due to heavy rainfall during the three-month period,” said Mah yesterday.
In addition, he said the ministry through its implementing agency – the Malaysian Rubber Board ( LGM) – is committed to ensuring smooth implementation of the Monsoon Season Aid, especially via easy and friendly application procedures.
Mah said he also attended a special briefing session with related implementing officers and officials recently, to personally experience the online and manual registration process at Menara Getah in Kuala Lumpur.
The financial aid application can be made online via http://bmt.lgm. gov.my. Rubber smallholders and tappers can also visit the nearest LGM office to obtain the forms for manual application method. — Bernama