TAMBUNAN: Hard work has paid off after a month of persistent effort, as a local rubber tapper Hazlie Lansumin, in his 30s, expressed immense gratitude after his hard work collecting cup lump rubber finally yielded a lucrative return of RM2,300.
The income received has injected fresh motivation into rubber smallholders and tappers in the interior area, where the agricultural sector remains the main economic lifeline for local residents.
Hazlie expressed his appreciation and heartfelt thanks to the Government for its concern in stabilising and raising commodity prices to a better and more appropriate level.
The increase in rubber prices is seen as exceptionally timely in helping to ease the public’s cost of living, especially amid current economic uncertainties.
The proceeds from the sales allow tappers to breathe a sigh of relief, as the income earned can at least cover daily family needs and settle various pressing expenses.
Meanwhile, several die-hard rubber tappers in the Tambunan area took the opportunity to urge the Government to consider constructing a rubber processing factory in the district.
According to them, establishing a processing factory, regardless of the type of rubber-based products manufactured, would bring a massive positive impact on the local socioeconomic landscape.
Such a move is described as a way to create more new local job opportunities, thereby boosting the economy and reducing the migration of Tambunan’s youth to major cities.
If the rubber processing factory facility is successfully realized in the future, tappers are confident they will become far more enthusiastic and motivated to actively cultivate their respective rubber holdings and smallholdings.
Having infrastructure and processing facilities nearby would not only save logistics costs, but also indirectly guarantee the future of the local rubber industry, keeping it sustainable and competitive for the long term.
