Anwar: RM400 aid only part of broader support for smallholders
THE Government cannot rely on the RM400 monthly cash aid alone to resolve the challenges facing smallholders, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today, stressing the need for continued action based on changing grassroots needs. He said the ...
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stated that the RM400 monthly cash aid provided to smallholders is only part of a broader support system, not a complete solution to their challenges. He emphasized that the government must continue to listen to the evolving needs of smallholders due to changing economic conditions and rising living costs.
Anwar acknowledged that smallholders would likely say the aid is insufficient, but he stressed that it is an essential component of a larger effort to strengthen the position of smallholders. As of September 2026, about 270,000 smallholders involved in commodities such as palm oil, rubber, pepper, and kenaf have received RM400 each month under the BUDI Agri-Komoditi scheme.
The government is also working to ensure that assistance reaches the intended recipients and that they are aware of the support available to them. In addition to financial aid, the government is strengthening the commodities sector through initiatives such as rubber incentives, oil palm replanting assistance, easier financing, and the maintenance of plantation roads.
Anwar cautioned that demands for increased assistance must be balanced against the pressure on the national economy due to geopolitical developments and rising global oil prices. The government's approach aims to provide both immediate financial assistance and measures to enhance the long-term resilience and livelihoods of smallholders.
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