KUALA KRAI, Oct 7 — More than 100 rubber smallholders in Kampung Batu Mengkebang, here thanked the government for increasing the Monsoon Season Aid (BMT) from RM600 to RM800 next year.
Mohd Sekeri Mat Shah, 63, said the increase of RM200 compared with the RM600 received previously, will be a big help to ease the burden of smallholders during the monsoon season.
“During the monsoon season, rubber smallholders are unable to go out and tap rubber trees due to the weather conditions. The extra RM200 will, therefore, enable us to buy essential items for our daily needs,” he told Bernama, today.
Mardiana Mahmud, 45, said the BMT offered by the government will be used wisely to see through the monsoon season.
Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz who tabled the Budget 2023 today, said the BMT will be increased from RM600 to RM800.
He said the BMT which will be distributed through an allocation of RM256 million, will benefit 320,000 smallholders nationwide.
They will receive RM200 for a four-month period, he said.
In the Budget 2022, the BMT of RM600 was channelled in two stages, namely RM300 in November and another RM300 in December.
