Limbang, Lawas folk benefit from Risda development plans — Dr Abd Rahman

LIMBANG: More than RM33.6 million has been spent for the implementation of rubber replanting programme under the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) in Limbang division.

Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail said the programme covers 2,854 hectares in Limbang and Lawas.

“For Limbang district alone, this programme involves an area of 951 hectares with an allocation of over RM12.7 million,” he said.

Risda Limbang, he added, has also received new applications for rubber replanting this year, covering an area of 250 hectares in Limbang and Lawas districts with an allocation of over RM2 million.

“Another RM1.2 million was allocated for the 150 hectares of land for rubber replanting in Limbang district,” said Dr Abdul Rahman in his speech during ‘Majlis Pekebun Kecil Makmur Peringkat Risda Bahagian Limbang 2022’ at Dewan Kampung Pahlawan here yesterday.

As for Kampung Pahlawan’s programme participants, the Bukit Kota assemblyman said a total of RM137,350 has been allocated to 10 smallholders involving over 10 hectares to implement the programme under the 10th Malaysia Plan.

“If you look at the statistics, the application for rubber replanting here in Kampung Pahlawan is very low.

“It will be a loss if the smallholders do not seize the free assistance given by Risda,” said Dr Abdul Rahman, in his call for the local community to participate in the programme.

Risda, he said, has assisted smallholders venturing into the entrepreneurship field and develop their businesses to a higher level by providing assistance for Additional Economic Activities (AET) programme.

“Risda Limbang Division has produced 89 entrepreneurs from Limbang and Lawas districts by allocating them with RM954,529.

“For the Limbang district alone, 24 entrepreneurs have received guidance with an allocation of RM244,100,” he said.

He added that for 2022, Risda Limbang Division had absorbed some 26 entrepreneurs into its AET programme with a total allocation of RM310,000 in Limbang and Lawas districts.

“For the Limbang district alone, 17 entrepreneurs received AET assistance with an allocation of RM210,000,” he said, adding that four entrepreneurs from Kampung Pahlawan had also benefitted from the programme.

Also present at the event were Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Limbang candidate Datuk Hasbi Habibollah; Limbang Deputy Resident Jamalie Busri and Risda Sarawak director Shaharuddin Saberi.