Ahmad Zahid wants Risda to establish high-tech rubber depot in Sabah
TENOM: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) to establish a High-Tech Rubber Depot in the district to boost the rubber industry and support smallholders in the state.
Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the Rural and Regional Minister, said Sabah has excellent potential in the rubber industry, adding that the state has the largest rubber plantation area in the country, spanning 202,536 hectares or 25.69 % of Malaysia's total rubber cultivation area.
"With the establishment of the depot, Risda should also develop downstream rubber-based products commercially, including conducting research into biofuel derived from scrap rubber, as one kilogramme of coagulated rubber residue can produce five litres of biodiesel known as RISDA Biofuel," he said.
He said this when delivering his speech at the state-level Risda's programme for smallholders, Pekebun Kecil Makmur, at the SJK (C) Chung Hwa hall here on Sunday (May 18).
At the ceremony, Ahmad Zahid announced Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin as the honorary national advisor for Risda to ensure the voices of smallholders in the state continue to be heard.
Ahmad Zahid said the government strives to stabilise the rubber industry despite the current low rubber floor price.
"…the floor price for cup lump is set at RM5 per kilogramme, and the current market price has reached RM5.01 per kilogramme, as seen in Tangkak, Johor. We need to transform the rubber industry from a sunset industry (declining) into a sunrise industry (growing) by injecting elements of high technology and innovation," he added.
He said Malaysia was once among the world's largest natural rubber producers from the 1930s to the 1990s, but due to price issues and labour shortages, it is currently the world's sixth-largest rubber producer.
"Therefore, Risda must find solutions. Develop technologies, train young people using the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) approach and mobilise them to the sector with new skills, not just as rubber tappers but as value creators," he said.
He also urged Risda to focus on replanting efforts and using old rubber trees in the furniture manufacturing industry.
"We have the potential to replant 40,000 hectares annually, which could generate up to RM9 billion in rubber timber value if fully utilised. The furniture industry should not be concentrated only in Muar, Johor. I propose that Tenom be developed as Risda's furniture industry hub in Sabah," he added. - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
UPM Bintulu Campus Renamed UPM Sarawak With Sultan Of Selangor's Consent
KLANG, June 30 (Bernama) -- The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has consented to the rebranding of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Bintulu Campus in Sarawak as UPM Sarawak (UPMS). Sultan Sharafuddin said the rebranding was a strategic move by UPM to expand its role in conjunction with the university's 50th anniversary in Sarawak. UPM was formerly known as Universiti Pertanian Malaysia. 'I am very proud of this university's achievements, not only as a centre of excellence in agriculture, forestry and food security, but also as a catalyst for national development, especially in Sarawak. It has become a competitive institution in the Borneo region and on the international stage. 'I hope UPM's efforts and commitment will continue in developing talent and expertise to advance the country's socio-economic progress, particularly in Sarawak, through the UPM Food Security Blueprint that has been developed,' said His Royal Highness at the UPMS Proclamation Ceremony held here today. Sultan Sharafuddin was accompanied by the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin. Also present were Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. In his speech, Abang Johari said the strengthening of UPMS aligns with the aspirations of the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030), particularly in the agriculture, forestry and renewable energy sectors. He said one of UPMS's notable achievements is the implementation of the AgriHub@Gedong project, a strategic collaboration between the university and the Sarawak Premier's Office. 'This project aims to spearhead the transformation of padi cultivation activities in Lubok Punggor, Gedong, and marks an important starting point in efforts to develop Sarawak as a national-level high-impact padi production hub,' he said.
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
PM Anwar To Lead Malaysian Trade Mission To Three Major Economic Hubs From July 1-7
GENERAL PUTRAJAYA, June 30 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is set to undertake an official visit to three countries, namely Italy, France, and Brazil, from tomorrow until July 7, which will include his participation at the 17th BRICS Summit. Senior press secretary to the Prime Minister, Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, said the visits to these major economic hubs - Rome, Paris, and Rio de Janeiro - aim to strengthen Malaysia's diplomatic ties and trade relations with the respective nations. He said these three markets collectively recorded bilateral trade valued at RM50.91 billion (USD11.14 billion) last year. 'The visits present opportunities for rapid growth in sectors such as the economy, culture, technology, and education,' he said during the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Daily Briefing today. In Italy, according to Tunku Nashrul, the Prime Minister is slated to hold a bilateral meeting with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni to advance economic cooperation and pioneer joint cultural initiatives. A Business Roundtable will convene industry leaders from both countries, while dialogues with local Muslim community leaders and meetings with the Malaysian diaspora will highlight people-to-people connections and showcase Malaysian talent in Europe. In France, the Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with President Emmanuel Macron, with discussions focusing on trade, technology, and education. 'In addition to the roundtable with France's industrial giants, the Prime Minister will engage with local Muslim leaders, meet Malaysian citizens in France, and deliver a public lecture at Sorbonne University on July 4,' said Tunku Nashrul. He said from July 5 to 7, the Prime Minister will be in Rio de Janeiro to attend the 17th BRICS Summit upon invitation from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
Bitget Launchpool to List Fragmetric (FRAG) with 4.6 Million Tokens in Rewards
VICTORIA, Seychelles, June 30 (Bernama) -- Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has announced the upcoming listing of Fragmetic (FRAG) in the Innovation, LSD and Solana Ecosystem Zone for spot trading. The FRAG/USDT pair begins on 1 July 2025, 8:30 (UTC), with withdrawals available on 2 July 2025, 9:30 (UTC). Besides being available for spot trading, Bitget will launch an exclusive Launchpool rewards campaign. Eligible users can lock BGB and FRAG to grab a share of 4,200,000 FRAG. The Launchpool campaign runs from 1 July 2025, 8:30 till 4 July 2025, 8:30 (UTC). The BGB campaign pool has 3,800,000 FRAG up for grabs and the FRAG campaign pool has 400,000 FRAG up for grabs. Bitget will also launch a CandyBomb campaign with a total of 400,000 FRAG up for grabs. New users stand to grab 400,000 FRAG in the FRAG/SOL trading campaign pool. The CandyBomb campaign runs from 1 July 2025, 8:30 till 8 July 2025, 8:30 (UTC).
