PM announces the allocations and funds to help flood victims

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said in confronting the flood disaster, the National Security Council (MKN) will issue a directive to all parties on the actions which needed to be taken immediately.

The National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) will remain the main agency to manage and coordinate such efforts. However, if a directive (by NADMA) isn’t adhered to, MKN will issue the further instructions,” he said in a statement after chairing a special meeting on the large-scale flooding in five states.

"The government has allocated RM100 million for post-flood recovery activities to repair houses and damaged infrastructure"

"Bantuan Wang Ihsan which is RM1,000 will be given to every head of households affected by floods regardless of whether they were relocated to relief centres (PPS) or not," said the Prime Minister.

To assist entrepreneurs affected by floods, the government also decided to provide financing of up to RM5,000 through Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN). The Prime Minister said the interest-free or non-profit financing is with repayment starting six months after the financing agreement was signed.

He said the Government Linked Investment Companies (GLICs) and Government Linked Companies (GLCs) have agreed to contribute RM50.8 million to assist efforts in the flood disasters and post-flood recovery. The contribution has increased more than compared to the RM25 million previously announced.

“The GLICs and GLCs which contributed included Petronas; Yayasan Petronas, Khazanah Nasional and Yayasan Hasanah; Yayasan Sime Darby, CIMB, Celcom, Telekom Malaysia, Yayasan UEM and Employee Provident Fund (EPF). With the Government’s grant of RM25 million, the total fund to deal with flood impact and post-flood recovery has risen to RM75.8 million, ”he said.

Apart from that, he said the government also agreed to give a two-month rent waiver to tenants of SME Bank’s Entrepreneur Premises Complex which were affected by floods.

“The government through SME Bank will also facilitate loan restructuring applications for those affected by floods. A total of RM30 million is allocated to the Flood Recovery Loan through Tekun Nasional. The affected cooperatives will also be assisted through the Malaysian Cooperatives Commission Emergency Relief Fund up to RM30,000,” he said.

Ismail Sabri also said that the flood issue in Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam needs to be resolved immediately. He has informed all agencies to organize work more swiftly in helping the flood victims.

Recently, a total of 41 boats, 16 lorries and other assets were sent to Taman Sri Muda with the assistance from 321 rescue team members.

“I have informed the Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA) through the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to immediately send 20 mobile pump assets to the affected areas, in addition to the four existing pumps.

“This is to pump water from areas that are experiencing stagnant flood water (commonly known as flash floods) to nearby rivers. Additional pumps obtained from various agencies, including those owned by the JPS Selangor, will be used to drain stagnant water into the Klang River,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also agreed with the proposal that some parts of the river embankment should be broken or drilled temporarily to drain the stagnant water immediately out into the river. The location of the drilling is being finalized.

The government welcomes Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that want to provide assistance to flood victims but they must first inform the District Disaster Management Center.