PKR wants the government to top up the income of rubber tappers to RM1,200 a month, as they are now earning significantly lower than the RM1,000 minimum wage in Peninsular Malaysia due to a crash in rubber prices.

Its vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar said at present, rubber tappers were making a meagre income of between RM400 and RM500 a month.

"PKR proposes that a permanent payment mechanism be set up to ensure the minimum income of rubber tappers is at RM1,200, as suggested by the National Union of Plantation Workers (NUPW)," Nurul Izzah told a press conference at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.

Also present were PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin, PKR's Kuala Kedah MP Azman Ismail and PKR central leadership council member Syed Husin Ali.

Nurul Izzah also urged the government to improve its rubber production incentive (IPG).

She pointed out that despite the IPG allocating RM200 million to ensure that the price of latex concentrate sold by rubber tappers is at least 40 sen per kilogramme, only a fraction of this had been disbursed.

"Many rubber tappers have not benefited from this incentive. As of last year, only RM12 million was disbursed to the rubber tappers.

"We also received complaints that under this scheme, it will take more than 30 days for approval from the date of application and another 14 days for the money to be credited into the account," she said.

Nurul Izzah added that PKR would launch its #DemiPenoreh campaign to take up the plight of the rubber tappers with roadshows scheduled in Kedah on April 17 and 18.

The roadshows will take place at Padang Terap, Kubang Pasu, Pendang, Jerai, Bukit Selambau, Baling, Sik, Padang Serai and Kulim.

She said during the roadshows, PKR would provide assistance, in the form of foodstuff, to some 500 rubber tappers to help alleviate their burden.