KOTA KINABALU – Rubber smallholders, rice farmers and fishermen nationwide will receive the Aidilfitri special financial assistance from the federal government starting on April 17.
The assistance channelled through the Rural and Regional Development Ministry and its agency the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) is an additional initiative from Budget 2023, involving 850,000 recipients.
Deputy Prime Minister and Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, in a statement today, said that RM63.75 million has been allocated to 318,642 rubber smallholders under Risda nationwide for the assistance.
The recipients, who are generally those who received the Monsoon Season Assistance last year, will have the assistance credited directly into their bank accounts as registered under Risda.
Zahid said the assistance which targets rubber smallholders whose estates are smaller than 2.5 hectares aims to ease the financial burden faced by small rubber farmers and help with their expenses during the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season.
Applicants can check the status of payment via the Risda website here.
Meanwhile, Zahid graced a breaking of fast programme with 1,500 orphans, tahfiz students, poor eligible for zakat aid, and the local community at Kg Benoni Mosque in Papar today.
It is the twelfth location for the programme organised by his ministry starting from March 24, and it will continue in Kelantan and end in Sarawak.
Zahid also presented Raya money from the Community Development Department, Felcra, and Sabah Rubber Industry Board to 129 tahfiz students and orphans amounting to RM25,800. – The Vibes, April 8, 2023
