Smallholders Continue To Receive Monsoon Season Assistance This Year - DPM Ahmad Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- The government will continue providing the Monsoon Season Assistance (BMT) this year as an ongoing effort to assist smallholders affected by the unpredictable weather, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said RM264.91 million has been allocated for the initiative, which is expected to benefit more than 330,000 recipients nationwide, including those under the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) and the Sabah Rubber Industry Authority (LIGS).

"This assistance aligns with the MADANI Government's commitment to safeguarding the welfare of rural communities. BMT is not just a one-off financial assistance, but a lifeline and a source of livelihood when the rainy season threatens harvest and income.

"This is the true face of the MADANI Government that cares for smallholders who are the pulse of the country's industry," he said when speaking at the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) People's Tuition Programme: Excellent Student Appreciation Ceremony here today.

Also present were Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang, MARA chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and RISDA chairman Manndzri Nasib.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said that the volatility of commodity prices and yearly weather uncertainties continue to exert financial pressure on smallholders, affecting both their yields and incomes.

Therefore, he said, initiatives such as BMT are an important form of intervention in rural development policy, which not only functions as economic support but also as recognition of the hard work of smallholders.

-- BERNAMA