KUCHING: The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) will establish a high-performance depot (DPT) in Sarawak to help rubber smallholders market their produce more efficiently and systematically.
Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, stated that the plan includes building two depots in each state, with a location already identified in Kota Samarahan for Sarawak.
“I have instructed for one of the DPTs to be developed in Kota Samarahan, while the other location will be discussed with the state government,” he said during a press conference after launching the Program Pekebun Kecil Makmur dan Sambutan Pra-Gawai Peringkat RISDA Negeri Sarawak 2025 at Kampung Raeh Baru, Siburan today.
The initiative, to be managed by RISDA Plantation Sdn Bhd (RPSB), is expected to enhance the efficiency of the rubber supply chain in the state and contribute towards the increase of smallholders’ income.
Zahid also emphasised that RISDA will continue efforts to promote latex production as a downstream activity that can bring significant economic benefits to the state.
He noted that the government currently spends RM6 billion on importing latex for domestic industry and export purposes, with Thailand being the largest importer.
He added that 87 per cent of Malaysia’s rubber production comes from smallholders, while only about 13 per cent originates from plantations.
“This shows how heavily we rely on smallholders.
“Therefore, RISDA must work closely with state and district-level officers to engage with smallholder associations and individuals to improve productivity,” he said.
He explained that the goal is to shift production from raw cup lump rubber to latex, which is why centralised collection depots are essential for each area to facilitate latex processing.
On replanting efforts, Zahid mentioned that there are 400,000 hectares of land slated for replanting, and under a new initiative, treated rubberwood from these areas will be used for the furniture industry.
“We’ve signed an agreement with the furniture manufacturers’ association in Muar, Johor, for them to use this treated rubberwood – processed by RISDA – for furniture, mainly for export markets.
“Each harvesting cycle covers about 40,000 hectares, and we will not sell the timber unless it has been properly treated.
“This means the added value of treated rubberwood is significantly higher than selling it as raw timber,” he said.
