THE government will channel RM63.75 million in Aidilfitri Special Financial Assistance (Asfa) to 318,642 rubber smallholders from the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda), Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

He said with the amount channelled via the Rural and Regional Development Ministry and Risda, each smallholder will receive RM200 in Asfa aid.

The move is aimed at easing rubber smallholders’ financial burdens ahead of the upcoming Raya celebration, he said.

Zahid said the money will be credited directly into recipients’ bank accounts.

“The Asfa aid is an additional initiative under Budget 2023 announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, involving 850,000 rubber smallholders, padi farmers and fishermen,” he said at the 2023 Sabah Santunan Kasih Ramadan programme in Papar today. 

Also present were Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions Minister Armizan Mohd Ali, Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Rubiah Wang, and Sabah Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif.

A media statement provided at the event said Asfa recipients will be from among those who received the 2022 Monsoon Season Aid aid. 

“Asfa is targeted at rubber smallholders who have plots under 2.5ha. Aid applicants can check the payment status through the bmt.risda.gov.my website,” the statement read. – Bernama, April 8, 2023.