BINTULU: The government has approved RM37 million to be distributed to some 76,000 rubber smallholders affected by the low commodity price in Sarawak.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said each of the smallholders will receive RM500 to ease their burden through the scheme coordinated by the Rural and Regional Development ministry, Plantation Industries and Commodities ministry and the State government.
He said this during a gathering with the people at the Henry Nuni Longhouse in Ulu Sebauh near here.
Rural and Regional Development minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal handed over a mock cheque for the scheme to deputy chief minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang in a ceremony held at the longhouse.
Accompanying Najib were his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Chief Secretary to the government Tan Sri Ali Hamsa, Sarawak Barisan Nasional Secretary Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi, Deputy Rural and Regional Development minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi among others.
Najib is on a two day visit to the state. Tomorrow he will be launching the Pan Borneo Highway here.