Credit : Bernama Business's X
ALOR GAJAH, MELAKA November 10, 2026 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wants the minimum price under the dignified rubber pricing initiative, now set at RM5 a kilogramme, to be raised so that the welfare of rubber smallholders continues to be protected, Bernama reported.
He said the initiative should be kept going and should not be limited to this year, because rubber smallholders had long struggled to earn a better income.
“I do not want this dignified rubber price to apply only this year. Instead, it should be maintained and increased because we know that rubber smallholders have faced difficulties for a long time,” he said.
“I am determined to ensure that these smallholders no longer have to endure hardship throughout their lives. I hope the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) will look after their interests so that they too can enjoy a better quality of life.”
Ahmad Zahid was speaking at the opening of the 2026 Melaka Smallholders Prosperity Programme and RISDA State Open Day in Alor Gajah, which was also attended by RISDA chairman Manndzri Nasib.
The deputy prime minister, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said RISDA had taken a more proactive approach by acting as the main buyer to offer smallholders a rubber price of at least RM5 a kilogramme. He urged RISDA’s management, however, to expand its rubber purchasing locations, particularly at district level, to make it easier for smallholders to sell their produce.
“We do not want to take over the role of other rubber buyers, but since RISDA was entrusted with the responsibility of acting as the main buyer, Alhamdulillah, the welfare of smallholders nationwide has begun to improve,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid also asked RISDA to increase the number of latex collection depots, to reduce the local industry’s dependence on imported supplies even though Malaysia has extensive rubber-growing areas.
He said processing cup lump rubber into latex for use by local industries could help Malaysia play a greater role in setting rubber prices, rather than relying only on prices set by buyers. Rising demand for natural rubber, including from factories at home and abroad, had also created opportunities for Malaysia to strengthen its position as a supplier, he added.
In that regard, Ahmad Zahid said he was confident that RISDA could help determine rubber prices based on market conditions, with Malaysia taking on the role of a supplier.
The call in Melaka marks a further push on the dignified price policy. The minimum now being offered through RISDA as the main buyer is RM5 a kilogramme, and Ahmad Zahid wants that floor both to remain in place beyond this year and to be increased. He did not name a new target price in his remarks, as reported by Bernama.
By asking RISDA to open more buying points at district level and to add latex collection depots, he framed the next steps as practical ones: making it easier for smallholders to sell, cutting reliance on imported latex, and giving Malaysia more influence over prices through local processing.
Source : Bernama
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