MRB activates May rubber incentives for Sabah and Sarawak
MRB said IPG for May 2025 is triggered when the average monthly farmgate price for cuplump rubber falls to RM3.00 per kilogramme (kg) or below, with the IPG for latex activated concurrently. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR (June 4): The Rubber Production Incentive (IPG) for smallholders has been activated in Sabah and Sarawak for May 2025, according to the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB).
In a statement, MRB said IPG for May 2025 is triggered when the average monthly farmgate price for cuplump rubber falls to RM3.00 per kilogramme (kg) or below, with the IPG for latex activated concurrently.
In May 2025, the custodian of Malaysia's rubber industry noted that the average farmgate prices for cuplump were RM3.00 per kg in Peninsular Malaysia, RM2.75 per kg in Sabah and RM2.65 per kg in Sarawak.
In Sabah, the IPG rate for cuplump and latex is 25 sen per kg for 50 per cent dry rubber content (DRC) and 50 sen per kg for 100 per cent DRC.
In Sarawak, the rate is 35 sen per kg for 50 per cent DRC and 70 sen per kg for 100 per cent DRC.
For latex, the IPG rate is fixed at 90 sen per kg for material with 100 per cent DRC.
The MRB said smallholders in Sabah and Sarawak are eligible to receive IPG payment from June 1-30, 2025, based on the rubber production in May 2025.
'The IPG for cuplump and latex remains inactive for Peninsular Malaysia in May 2025, hence, no IPG payment will be made for this month,' MRB added. rubber rubber production incentive smallholders
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
an hour ago
- Borneo Post
Can you beat the machine in your next job application?
Using AI tools in hiring has both benefits and challenges – on one hand, it can help reduce human bias, but there are also growing concerns about fairness and transparency. — Bernama photo IN today's fast-changing job market, landing your dream job may no longer depend solely on impressing a human recruiter. Increasingly, the 'first person' reviewing your application might be a machine. Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how companies hire new staff, from sorting résumés and scoring interviews. Job-seekers must learn how to stand out in this new digital era to get a job. But how does it work? Use of AI tools in hiring AI tools have become popular and are relatively cost-effective to use, thanks to Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) and Large Language Model (LLM). There are a multitude of AI tools for various management functions, including the very important recruitment and selection functions of human resource (HR) management. Many companies—from technology giants to medium-sized enterprises—in one way or another, are using AI tools to make recruitment faster, cheaper, more efficient, and objective. These tools help HR teams handle thousands of applications using algorithms to screen résumés, analyse pre-recorded video to assess applicants' skills and personality traits. Some AI tools, such as Applicant Tracking System (ATS), could scan résumés and filter out those who do not match the job specification (JS). Others could record candidates' responses and analyse facial expressions, voice tone, and word choices. For example, some multinational firms are already using software like 'HireVue' or 'Pymetrics to evaluate job applicants. These platforms claim to offer unbiased assessments. However, for the interviewees, it can be a daunting endeavour as they are, in effect, trying to impress a robot without knowing the rules of the game. Winning the systems So, how can job-seekers beat the machine and move their application forward? The first step is to understand how AI tools screen résumés. Many ATS can search for keywords in the résumés that match the job description. If your résumé does not contain the right words or is written in a way the AI tools cannot read, you may be rejected instantaneously. This means it is essential to use keywords from the job advertisement, use simple formatting (no tables, columns, or graphics), and customise your résumés for each application. Next, for AI-powered video interviews, just like human face-to-face interviews, preparation is of utmost importance. These systems may rate you based on confidence, eye contact, clarity, and even enthusiasm. Yes, you will be surprised! Some tips for the interviewees are practise speaking in front of a camera and review the recordings; and also speak in front of your friends and receive honest feedback from them for improvement. Remember to stay calm, keep the answers clear and concise so that the AI tools can pick up the keywords easily. Show natural body language and smile as these highly-sophisticated AI tools are trained to interpret your emotions with some degree of accuracy. Therefore, be your best self, but stay authentic. After all, AI tools are predominantly just the first screening process – the gatekeeper if you like. The basic principles of showing interest, confidence, clarity and passion for the job you are interviewing for are still essential, even to machines. Challenges of AI in hiring Having sung all the praises of AI tools, the reality is they are not perfect. Using AI tools in hiring has both benefits and challenges. On the positive side, it can help reduce human bias. Theoretically, an AI system is not concerned about your name, gender, social status, age or where you graduated from. This could help level the playing field, especially for candidates from less well-known or disadvantaged backgrounds. However, there are growing concerns about fairness and transparency in using AI tools. Algorithms can reflect the biases of their creators or unintentionally favouring certain language patterns or personality types. It may favour certain speaking styles or penalise people with different accents or expressions. Some job-seekers are concerned that they may be rejected not because they lack the required knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA), but rather the AI tools do not 'understand' them well. For job-seekers in non-English speaking countries like Malaysia, this can be even more challenging. Although there are recent powerful AI tools from China, most of them were developed in Western countries using the Western contexts. Hence, many AI tools may misinterpret accents, gestures, or even grammar in the Asian context and culture. In view of this phenomenon, there is a need for more ethical and inclusive AI systems in hiring, especially for multinational companies. Despite these challenges, the use of AI tools in recruitment and selection process is here to stay. Job-seekers must adapt by learning how AI tools work and prepare in earnest. The tips showcased in this article can help turn the machine from an obstacle into an advantage. Human intelligence matters In a world where machines read your résumé and judge the video interviews, the best way to beat the machine is to stay one step ahead. Even though machines are part of the hiring process, most final decisions are still made by humans like you and me. Therefore, once you get past the initial AI screening process, your ability to connect with real people will take the centrestage. Bring your best self to the interviews, share your story, show your passion and speak with conviction from the depth of your heart. Never forget you are a human being who possesses unique traits which no machine can ever beat: emotional intelligence that allows you to understand and respond to feelings; and creativity and critical-thinking to drive innovation and problem-solving that machines cannot replicate. Capitalise on these precious talents, give your best, and lead the way forward! * The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus. Prof Fung is the head of School of Business at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, while Prof Chung is an Associate Professor in Human Resources Management in the same School.
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Bursa up as investors welcome trade framework
At 5pm, the FBM KLCI rose 6.89 points, or 0.45% to 1,523.84 from Tuesday's close of 1,516.95. KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia ended higher yesterday, with investors adopting a cautiously optimistic stance following the announcement of a United States-China trade framework agreement, which includes provisions on technology trade. At 5pm, the FBM KLCI rose 6.89 points, or 0.45% to 1,523.84 from Tuesday's close of 1,516.95. The benchmark index opened 3.91 points higher at 1,520.86 yesterday morning, which was its day's low, and subsequently moved to a high of 1,530.85 in the early session. On the broader market, gainers thumped decliners 545 to 375, while 528 counters were unchanged, 921 untraded and 11 suspended. Turnover soared to 3.27 billion units worth RM2.59bil compared with yesterday's 2.72 billion units worth RM2.09bil. UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors Sdn Bhd head of investment research Mohd Sedek Jantan told Bernama that the development in the US-China trade negotiations marks a constructive step toward de-escalation, although it falls short of a material breakthrough. Domestically, the market found additional support from encouraging macroeconomic data, with figures released yesterday by the Statistics Department showing that the sales value of the manufacturing sector rose by 4.8% year-on-year in April 2025, reaching RM160.6bil. — Bernama
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Vertical schools in housing projects to help reduce transport costs, says PM Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: The integration of a vertical school concept within the Rumah Bakat Madani housing project in Penang is expected to enhance student safety and ease the transportation cost burden on families, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister said that incorporating educational elements into residential development is part of the Madani government's initiative to build compassionate neighbourhoods and foster community development based on Madani values. Anwar said this approach underscores the government's commitment to promoting holistic well-being for the people, rather than focusing solely on physical structures and architectural design. "The planned vertical school element, integrated with the housing project, aims to ensure student safety, and I believe it can also help families save on transportation costs,' he said in a Facebook post on Wednesday (June 11). He also stressed that the Madani government placed strong emphasis on expediting project approvals through collaboration across ministries, agencies and with the involvement of state governments. Anwar said the project was an initiative involving private developer SkyWorld, aimed at enabling low- and middle-income groups to own affordable homes. "I was informed that the development will also include essential infrastructure and comprehensive facilities such as schools and childcare centres, surau, commercial spaces, as well as landscaped areas and parks,' he said. Earlier, the Prime Minister attended a presentation session on the project concept with the developer's representatives in Putrajaya.- Bernama
