KOTA MARUDU: A total of RM108.51 million will be channelled by the Federal Government to Sabah as post-flood aid, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.The Prime Minister said of that amount, RM90.86 million will be allocated to repair public infrastructure damaged by the recent floods, including roads and bridges.
“We have just obtained the list (of damaged public infrastructure) which will be verified by the Public Works Department and other relevant parties. I have instructed that all (post-flood) matters, not just the Bantuan Wang Ihsan (BWI) aid and others but also infrastructure, must be expedited.
“Those affected by the floods are already facing difficulties and we do not want to burden them further with damaged infrastructure in their respective areas. This can hinder economic activities, so if possible, we must expedite (repairs),” he said here, Saturday.
Ismail Sabri was speaking to the media after handing over BWI aid and food baskets to 206 flood victims from this district.
Also present were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) and Kota Marudu MP Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.
Ismail Sabri said of the total amount, RM1.19 million has been allocated for BWI, namely RM1,000 per household, basic necessities (totalling RM3.67 million) and minor house repairs of RM5,000 per unit (totalling RM2.74 million).
It also covers major house repairs up to a maximum RM14,999 per home (totalling RM7.81 million), new home units up to a maximum of RM56,000 (totalling 1.17 million), discount vouchers for electrical appliances and electricity rebates (totalling RM643,400) and discount vouchers for vehicle repairs.
The Prime Minister also said that 90 per cent of the BWI aid for all flood victims nationwide had been disbursed, with the rest to be completed soon.
“I would like to state here (that) even before they return (home), if possible we will give (aid). I don’t like to make comparisons here but this is the fastest we have disbursed compassionate aid in the country’s history,” he added.
In PITAS, Ismail Sabri handed over BWI of RM1,000 and food baskets to flood victims in this district at Dewan Masyarakat Majlis Daerah Pitas.
He presented the BWI compassionate aid and food baskets to 35 families and spoke to victims present at the hall asking about their welfare.
A total of 319 flood victims from 129 families in Pitas were evacuated to flood relief centres when their homes were inundated following incessant heavy rain from Dec 31, 2021 to Jan 2, 2022. All of them are eligible for the assistance.
Victims at the hall expressed their gratitude to the Prime Minister for going down to the ground to the Pitas district.
Majulin Angai, 42, from Kampung Mangbusu, said the flood water level in his village this time was very much higher compared to previous years, causing many household appliances to be destroyed.
“I was traumatised by the flooding but I am happy and very grateful because it is not easy for the Prime Minister to come to Pitas himself to deliver aid.
“I am very impressed with the Prime Minister’s concern for the people no matter where they are in Malaysia,” he said.
Another victim, Kristina Gidion, 52, from Kampung Kabatasan Laut, said she was very excited about the Prime Minister coming to Pitas.
“I am very touched because the Prime Minister himself came down to Pitas… we can feel the Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family) spirit... it is real because the Prime Minister himself came to see us flood victims here,” she said.
Meanwhile, checks around Pitas found that the floods had receded with all the victims who were at the relief centres allowed to return to their homes since Friday.
