Risda plans to list on Bursa

ALOR GAJAH: The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) intends to follow the footsteps of Felda Global Ventures Holdings (FGVH) for listing on Bursa Malaysia in future.

Its chairman Tan Sri Rahim Tamby Chik said they were currently carrying out research regarding the best method for this purpose.

"Risda is different from Felda because the land is owned by the farmers, and the plan depends on the approval of the government," he told reporters after handing over dividends to participants of the Group New Planting Scheme (RTBB) and Commercial Replanting Scheme (TSK) in Melaka at Masjid Tanah, here.

A total of 2,113 participants throughout the state received dividends totalling RM26.98 million.

He said they also planned to create a unit trust through Risda Holdings in order to increase the income of the smallholders and Risda staff, and to protect their interests, in the near future.

Rahim said Risda expected the distribution of dividends to RTBB and TSK participants throughout the country to be completed before the Hari Raya celebration.

Last Saturday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced the payment of dividends totalling RM314.6 million to 39,306 participants of the RTBB TSK for the year 2011. -- Bernama