KOTA BARU (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has announced an additional allocation of RM500 million (S$190 million) to help flood victims nationwide that will be administered by the National Security Council.

He said due to the worsening flood situation, the Government hoped that the aid would help ease the burden faced by the victims.

"To further help them, BR1M payment will be brought forward to middle of January 2015," he told a press conference at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport on Saturday.

Last Thursday the Finance Ministry approved an immediate allocation of RM50mil for the states ravaged by the worsening floods.

Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah said the money would be channelled to the state development office in the states to be distributed immediately.

"The Finance Ministry will also facilitate the immediate purchase of equipment to ensure that aid reaches the people in the affected areas," he said in a statement.

Ahmad Husni said it was hoped that the allocation and the facility to purchase equipment would ease the burden faced by the people.