PAPAR – The government will channel RM63.75 million in Aidilfitri Special Financial Assistance (BKKA) to 318,642 rubber smallholders from the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda), Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
The rural and regional development minister said with the assistance channelled through the Rural and Regional Development Ministry and Risda, each smallholder will receive RM200 in BKKA assistance.
He said it is aimed at easing the financial burden and providing cheer to rubber smallholders to meet their needs in conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
Zahid said the money will be credited directly into recipients’ bank accounts immediately after his announcement.
“The (aid) channelled is an additional initiative through the 2023 Budget announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim involving a total of 850,000 rubber smallholders, paddy farmers and fishermen,” he said.
Zahid said this in his speech when officiating the 2023 Sabah Santunan Kasih Ramadan programme at the As-Salam Mosque in Kg Benoni here today.
Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, Rural and Regional Development Deputy Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang, and Sabah Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif.
Meanwhile, a media statement provided at the event stated that the BKKA recipients will be from among those who received the 2022 Monsoon Season Aid.
“BKKA is targeted at rubber smallholders who have plots under 2.5 hectares. Aid applicants can check the payment status through the bmt.risda.gov.my website,” the statement read. – Bernama, April 8, 2023
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