PUTRAJAYA: The Rural and Regional Development Ministry is looking for the best approach to help rubber smallholders, of about 400,000 people in the country, whose income has been affected due to the drop in the price of rubber.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, said a meeting would be held on Dec 15 to discuss the matter and that it would also involve the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is concerned with the fate of the smallholders, wanted a detailed approach and ways of helping the smallholders, although price of rubber was determined by the world market.
“Immediate action has to be taken to help them,” he told a media conference after the ministry’s monthly assembly here yesterday.
Earlier in his speech, Mohd Shafie told staff of the ministry and its agencies to improve their work performance to enable them to give the best service to the society, especially the rural folks.
He also told them to spend wisely, especially during this time of economic uncertainty.
“We have to be prepared. This is because we have to serve the society, not only in terms of providing infrastructure, but also scholarships for students to pursue studies abroad,” he added. — Bernama