Open more mini counters, rubber board urged

ALOR SETAR: The Malaysian Rubber Board (LGM) has been urged to open more mini counters in each district to assist rubber smallholders in their dealings with the agency.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah said the move would benefit the majority of smallholders, who had yet to claim the Rubber Production Incentive worth RM50mil allocated by the government.

Citing Kedah as an example, he said without the mini counter across the state, smallholders had to travel to LGM office in Sungai Petani.

“We suggest that this mini counter be set up in every district because when we increase rubber floor pricing from RM2.20 to RM2.50 since January this year, many will file claim for the incentive.

“Previously, they did not tap rubber due to the low price and it is not worthwhile to travel so far to make the claims,” he told reporters after opening the SK Alor Janggus Parent-Teacher Association meeting yesterday.

Amiruddin said the mini counter would also serve as an information centre for rubber smallholders to obtain the latest rubber-related information and government-related policies.

In the Budget 2019 tabled in November last year, the government announced an allocation of RM50mil to help mitigate the impact of falling rubber prices.