PUTRAJAYA – The Communications and Digital Ministry will be handing out contributions worth RM1 million to flood victims in all affected states, said its minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi said the funds were collected via its disaster aid fund from various agencies under the ministry.
“For the time being, the fund has RM4.2 million, and the ministry will contribute RM1 million as well as daily necessities and food to flood victims. The ministry is also providing volunteers.
“The goods to be presented are contributed by CelcomDigi and several other telecommunication companies,” he said at a media conference here today.
To ensure the contributions and items are all received by flood victims, Fahmi said, the ministry would cooperate with the related agencies to properly identify the target groups.
On complaints of internet access and telephone lines at temporary relief centres, he said, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is prepared to provide and improve communications utilities for the victims housed there.
“Datuk Seri Mohammad Mentek has also said that most relief centres have WiFi equipment activated. We are asking MCMC to coordinate with telecommunication companies to activate WiFi in relief centres,” he said.
As of this morning, five states in the peninsula are flooded, namely Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor, and Perak, with 140 relief centres opened in Kelantan, 299 in Terengganu, five in Pahang, as well as two each in Johor and Perak.
Fahmi also welcomed complaints from media practitioners assigned at the disaster locations on problems with internet access and phone lines.
“Media personnel facing problems can contact my office directly to quickly resolve issues,” he said.
On damaged telecommunications towers in several flooded states, Fahmi said, the ministry had ordered MCMC to look into the matter so that consumers could obtain internet services.
“This is to ensure the towers can be used again when floods recede and these towers can be used immediately. If anything needs to be repaired, it can be done immediately,” he said.
Fahmi also said that the ministry will utilise all radio and television channels to publicise flood information in early warnings for the public, especially at locations likely to flood and for victims in affected locations.
“We will maximise the use of all existing assets to give early warnings. I have also asked the ministry’s secretary-general to ensure that all radio and television channels remind the public to immediately move to higher ground,” he said.
He said the National Disaster Management Agency has also collaborated with telecommunications companies to deliver flood information through SMS. – Bernama, December 13, 2022
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