PASIR MAS – All of the previous government’s aid and incentives to flood victims will be continued, including the Bantuan Wang Ihsan of RM1,000 to households, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The aid, he added, would only be given to registered and eligible flood victims.
“This payment will be made soon before the flood recedes and (before) the victims return to their respective homes.
“Based on past experience, we found that the number of registered flood victims is not the same as the number of applications,” he said after visiting flood victims at SK Gual Tok Deh here today.
Also present were Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong and Rantau Panjang MP Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff.
Zahid, who also holds the rural and regional development portfolio, said the government together with other implementing agencies will continue to take proactive measures to channel the aid in an orderly and efficient manner.
Prior to this, the previous government under then prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that the government will contribute RM10,000 for each household affected by the floods in Terengganu and Kelantan.
He said the aid would include RM2,500 for the purchase of essential goods, vehicle repair discounts, a RM500 rebate for the purchase of electrical appliances and repairs of houses damaged in the floods.
Zahid said the government is also committed to continuing any project that has been approved by the previous administration, such as flood mitigation, which will be implemented as soon as possible.
“During the special Parliament session this December 19, the government will table the emoluments and expenses for ongoing projects,” he said.
On damaged roads in the rural areas, Zahid said the ministry is currently coordinating to expedite their repairs.
In a related development, Zahid said the government will also continue to carry out long-term flood management to overcome the issue until 2100.
He said it would be carried out in phases over a 78-year period.
“These flood mitigation projects, which involve huge allocations, will be carried out in phases in areas that often experience floods,” he said, adding that the projects would include the deepening of river estuaries to facilitate the flow of water to the sea. – Bernama, December 15, 2022
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