Proposal to use rubberised road tech for rural areas: Upko KB

KOTA BELUD: Komulakan Upko welcomes the corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme by Petronas for Sabah's rural areas which will be launched early next year as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak during his recent visit to Sabah.Its Chief, Ewon Benedick, said the announcement was timely especially when the issues of royalty and Petronas' role to Sabah are the talk of the people.

"In appreciating the assurance by the Prime Minister, I would like to suggest that Petronas help the Government build rural roads using rubberised road technology as part of the company's CSR programme in Sabah.

"This will solve two problems, i.e. the need to upgrade rural roads and help increase the price of rubber," he said.

"The rubberised road technology is being used in Thailand and Malaysia Rubber Board (LGM) is experimenting the technology in Sungai Buloh, Selangor.

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"If we can use our rubber stock locally for this purpose, then we can definitely increase the price. All stakeholders in the rubber industry will get the benefit," he said.

Ewon, who is also Upko Kota Belud Chief, made the proposal at the Excellence Award Ceremony in SK Rangalau and SK Tambatuon.

"Rural roads are very important to stimulate economic activities. This has been the aspiration of the people including here in Kg. Tambatuon and many more kampungs in Kadamaian that I have visited.

"Most of the villagers here are rubber tappers and that justifies my proposal," he said.

"In my capacity as Board member of LGM, I have spoken to the Chairman and submitted a letter of proposal for rubberised road technology to be done in Kadamaian. He appreciated the initiative. We will be visiting Thailand in December to see how Thailand adopted this technology."

Ewon is also hoping that the Government will adopt the technology and make it a policy that certain percentage from total rural road projects in Sabah in the coming years are using the technology.

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"Some are saying that rubber plantation is no longer economically productive. We are competing with other countries on the global demand for natural rubber and it seems that other countries have overtaken us as major exporter. But I'm sure with this new technology, we will see the rise of this industry," he said.

Ewon later officiated the promotional talk by Malaysia Pepper Board (MPB) for smallholders programme at Kg Tambatuon.

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