KUALA LUMPUR (June 6): None of the areas planted with rubber in Malaysia had experienced a Level 3 (extreme) heatwave as of Monday (June 5), said Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang, citing a report by the Meteorological Department.

Rubiah told the Dewan Rakyat that rubber trees are able to adapt to changes during hot weather, as they are deep rooted and have access to underground water.

‘However, if this hot weather phenomenon continues for a long period, it is feared that rubber production will be affected,” she cautioned.

Besides the hot weather, Rubiah said the spread of the Pestalotiopsis infestation on rubber trees is another concern, as it had caused production to drop by up to 50%.

"Risda (the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority) is monitoring this matter, and measures to treat the disease are being implemented,” she said.

The deputy minister was replying to Kamal Ashaari (Perikatan Nasional-Kuala Krau) on the steps taken by the ministry to help rubber smallholders nationwide in facing the prolonged hot weather.

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