THE Rural and Regional Development Ministry through Risda will construct another latex production depot to increase the production of the commodity in the country.

Its minister, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said it was also to reduce dependence on latex imports from abroad for industrial use in the country.

“Although rubber cup lump is still produced, my focus is to produce more latex.

“This can also help save RM3 billion in latex imports from abroad if more latex can be produced locally,” he said at the Perdana Al-Quran Tadarus ceremony in conjunction with Ramadan 1444H at the Bagan Datuk parliamentary level today.

He said this when asked about the mechanism to ensure the introduction of rubber cup lump floor prices will help increase the income of smallholders and rubber tappers.

Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, said the production of more latex also helps to improve prices, allowing growers and rubber tappers to earn a higher income.

Earlier, there was a proposal to study raising the scrap rubber floor price to at least RM3 per kg compared to the RM2.70 announced in the Budget 2023.

Zahid said the matter will be announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. – Bernama, April 1, 2023.