Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called for a unified effort between rubber smallholders under Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) and the Sabah Rubber Industry Board (LIGS) to strengthen Sabah’s rubber industry and immediately raise rubber prices for the benefit of rural producers.
Speaking at ‘Program Santuni Pekebun Kecil RISDA Negeri Sabah Tahun 2025’ on Sunday, Ahmad Zahid said the time has come for all smallholders in the state, whether under RISDA or LIGS, to consolidate their efforts to secure better income and restore Malaysia’s standing as a leading global rubber producer.
Ahmad Zahid announced that the RISDA has set a target of managing 70,000 metric tonnes of smallholder rubber in Sabah through a coordinated system of collection depots, in line with the RISDA Transformation Model (MTR) 2026–2030.
“We want rubber prices to be raised immediately. RISDA and LIGS must come together quickly to increase the price of rubber without delay,” said Ahmad Zahid who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister.
According to him, 10 latex depots will be built across Sabah by the end of 2026. These facilities will act as centralised hubs for weighing, recording and payment processing — reducing reliance on middlemen and ensuring a fairer, more transparent marketing system for smallholders.
Zahid said the initiative will benefit 74,625 smallholders statewide, including 30,228 under RISDA, and marks a strategic push to raise national rubber production to one million metric tonnes annually by 2030.
He stressed that the decline in national rubber production must be urgently addressed.
“Malaysia was once the world’s number one rubber producer. Today, we are ranked number six because our production has decreased. Efforts to increase rubber prices must be carried out immediately,” he said.
Zahid revealed that Malaysia currently imports RM6 billion worth of latex annually despite being one of the world’s largest rubber producers. He has directed RISDA, LIGS and the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities to intensify efforts to boost domestic latex output and halt imports.
He also emphasised that smallholders, not buyers, should be the ones determining rubber prices.
“We must not be trapped by market prices set by capitalists. It should not be buyers who determine the price of rubber, but the smallholders,” he said.
Sabah, which has the largest number of rubber smallholders in Malaysia, will play a critical role in meeting the country’s long-term production targets.
Zahid said stockpiling rubber would allow Malaysia to set prices more confidently and independently.
He also highlighted the need for high-quality planting materials to increase productivity and ensure long-term sustainability for the industry.
Zahid assured smallholders that the government, together with Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates, is committed to defending their interests.
He said BN has a proven track record in Sabah, recalling that Umno and BN were invited by Sabahans to enter the state in 1991, leading to rapid development during their administration.
“God willing, Barisan Nasional should be entrusted again to govern. This is our commitment to create jobs for Sabah’s youth,” he said, noting that BN is contesting only 45 out of 73 seats in the upcoming state polls to form a strong and aligned government with Putrajaya.
He urged voters to seize what he described as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore stability and accelerate development, especially in addressing long-standing issues such as water supply, electricity and road maintenance.
Zahid said he will personally monitor the performance of all BN assemblymen if the coalition returns to power.
“If any BN assemblyman breaks their agreement with me, they must pay RM50 million. We do not want political ‘frogs’ in Sabah. We only want loyal representatives,” he said.
Zahid reaffirmed his confidence that with proper cooperation, strengthened infrastructure and unified smallholder participation, Sabah can reclaim its position as a significant rubber-producing state, while ensuring that rural communities enjoy fair prices and stable incomes.
Source: theborneopost