RUBBER tappers in Kedah are in dire straits as their incomes have declined sharply due to the hot weather in the last few months as rubber trees produce less latex during the hot weather, Utusan Malaysia reported.

       Nor Sahima Jusoh, 51, from Kampung Baharu, Panchor, said during the hot season, the leaves of rubber trees usually fall and trees produce less latex.

       “It is sad as the price of scrap rubber is currently quite high, between RM3.20 and RM3.40 per kilogramme but the trees are not producing much latex.

       “The tappers cannot supply scrap rubber because production is limited,” she said.

       Nor Sahima added that they have to go out to tap very early in the morning before the weather gets too hot and hinders the flow of latex.

       “We will start as early as 6.30am and will stop tapping at 9am when the weather gets too hot,” she said.

       Another tapper, Shobihah Hassan, 45, said the leaves of the rubber tree will continue to fall for more than two months and this will affect the production of latex and, subsequently, their income.

       She added that there are rubber tappers who have had to take loans or pawn their jewellery to see to their families’ daily needs, especially their children’s school expenses.

       > Child actor Muhammad Aiman Badrul Hisham was excited to get his first dose of Covid-19 vaccine under the National Children’s Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICKids) which started on Feb 3.

       The nine-year-old said he felt safer after getting the vaccination as he is often involved in filming activities, reports Berita Harian.

       “I was excited when I was told I would receive the Covid-19 vaccine. I was happy to go to the Paradigm Mall Vaccine Centre (PPV) in Kelana Jaya [Petaling Jaya] last Saturday.

       “I was not scared of the needle. In fact, I felt excited after taking the vaccine,” said Aiman, who also called on his peers to get vaccinated.

       Aiman’s father, Badrul Hisham Abdul Rahim, 51, said that Aiman, who is the youngest of four siblings, was excited to take the vaccine after seeing his brothers do so.

       “I did encourage Aiman ？？to take the vaccine because he always goes for auditions and filming sessions.

       “Besides that, he meets a lot of people.

       “Aiman ？？also goes to school. So I think it is safer if he takes the vaccine,” he said.