RM19,236,000 disbursed for 19,176 Selangor flood victims: Amirudin

KUALA LUMPUR – Some 19,176 families in Selangor who were victims of the flood disaster have each received a RM1,000 cash assistance from the state.

In a press conference today, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said that so far, RM19,236,000 has been distributed under the Selangor Bangkit Semula assistance programme implemented after the state was hit by floods on December 18.

He said disbursements of funds are ongoing and expects the amount to further increase.

“At the end of this week, our volunteers will also go from house to house to identify those who have yet to apply for the cash aid.”

The state government has also extended the aid application deadline to January 31 in an effort to allow victims ample time to submit their applications.

Meanwhile, six recipients who lost family members in the floods have claimed their RM10,000 bereavement aid.

Selangor recorded a total of 25 fatalities from the floods.

On clean-up programmes, Amirudin announced that 77,000 tonnes of flood waste have been collected by KDEB Waste Sdn Bhd and volunteers so far.

Another RM9.18 million allocation has been approved by the state government for 13 projects supervised by the Selangor Irrigation and Drainage Department, such as strengthening river banks and improving flood warning systems in hotspots.

An additional RM31.7 million was also approved for the Selangor Public Works Department (PWD) for remedial works for roads affected by landslides.

In total, he said the state government estimates a total of RM396 million will be needed for infrastructure repairs and upgrades by Selangor PWD involving federal and state roads.

As for damages to homes, 908 units in eight districts have been identified for repairs or rebuilding.

“Some 876 homes require repairs, while 32 must be rebuilt.”

Amirudin also announced that there are no longer flood victims housed at temporary relief centres (PPS) in Selangor.

As at 9.30am yesterday, the last 40 individuals from 12 families had left the PPS in Banting and Hulu Langat. – The Vibes, January 7, 2021