Johor govt to hand out $3.4m cash aid to flood-hit households
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The continuous downpour on March 19 caused floods in Johor Bahru, Kulai, Pontian, Kota Tinggi, Kluang and Batu Pahat.
PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
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JOHOR BAHRU - RM11.2 million (S$3.4 million) in financial assistance will be distributed to flood-hit families in Johor, said Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi on March 26.
He said 3,749 heads of household would each receive RM3,000 in aid on March 27 to help them with post-flood clean-up efforts.
“The recipients are those who registered at temporary relief centres in the six districts affected by the recent floods,” he said in a statement on March 26.
The continuous downpour on March 19
The situation has improved gradually as the waters receded, with many returning to their homes.
Datuk Onn Hafiz said the state government has also allocated funds to help the needy, in conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
This includes RM18.4 million in financial aid to 90,439 hardcore poor, and RM1.5 million to assist 5,000 Muslim converts, including those from the Orang Asli community, he said.
He added that one-off aid totalling RM3.4 million would be given to 6,970 imams and bilals by the end of March, while 646 village chiefs would receive RM500 each, amounting to RM323,000.
The 43 heads of Orang Asli indigenous communities would receive a total of RM21,500 in aid while 26 Orang Asli development and safety committee chairmen would benefit from aid amounting to RM13,000.
“To help the people with festive preparations, the state government has allocated RM1.6 million to subsidise the Jualan Kasih Johor initiative in 57 locations until March 29.
“This initiative offers discounted items to more than 200,000 consumers while supporting over 300 local traders,” Datuk Onn Hafiz said.
He said the state had also given out RM787,050 worth of Hari Raya food baskets to help 15,741 recipients at low-cost flats.
“Not forgetting the uniformed bodies and public healthcare workers who keep our nation safe, we have also disbursed RM5.4 million to 54,901 front-liners,” he added.
This includes police, army, Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Department and Immigration personnel at both Johor’s land checkpoints as well as doctors and nurses, he said, adding that 20,821 state civil servants would also receive Hari Raya aid of RM1,000.
“The state hopes the aid can help lessen the people’s burden for the festive season and act as a motivation for civil servants to continue serving the public,” Datuk Onn Hafiz added. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
