Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister says country needs to find new ways to harvest latex

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Bernama reports that Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi needs to find new ways to harvest latex and switch from scrap rubber (cup lump) production.

Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, said this was because Malaysia imported about 80 per cent of its latex needs at a cost of around RM3 billion.

“Malaysia is the world’s largest rubber producer and a glove-producing country, with latex as the primary material. But why do we have to import latex?

“Even though it involves a lot of work and there is a lack of manpower, as most rubber tappers are aged around 60 to 70. We need to find ways to produce (more) latex because, in Malaysia, there are only seven depots for latex production.”

He said this on RTM’s Selamat Pagi Malaysia programme titled “Post-Budget 2023: Empowering Desa Madani”, today.

On ways to facilitate latex production, Zahid said they included strengthening cooperatives and working with non-governmental organisations related to rubber smallholders.

He said this in response to the increased allocation for the Rural and Regional Development Ministry by RM500 million compared with 2022, and how it could benefit target groups, especially rubber tappers.