KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) The Malaysian government will provide a post-flood allocation of RM100 million (S$32 million) for the repair of homes and damaged infrastructure, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has announced.
He said due to the extent of damage caused by massive floods that hit several states, the government will also contribute RM1,000 to all affected households.
"In September this year, the government raised compassionate aid to RM1,000 per household. We will expedite payment to areas affected by the floods in Selangor and six other states," Bernama quoted Datuk Seri Ismail as saying after chairing a special meeting on plans and actions to be taken to manage the floods.
Mr Ismail said at the same time, government-linked investment companies (GLICs) and government-linked companies (GLCs) have agreed to channel contributions in the form of matching grants.
They have agreed to allocate an initial amount of RM20 million, he said.
"Which means if it is RM20 million each from the government and GLICs/GLCs, RM40 million (in total), we have back-to-back matching grants from the government and GLCs. This will be among the types of immediate aid to be channelled to alleviate the burden of the flood victims," he said.
Mr Ismail Sabri said to date, 103 temporary evacuation centres have been opened in eight districts in Selangor, up from from 48 on Sunday (Dec 19).
He said all issues arising at these centres such as lack of food would be resolved immediately.
He said the Health Ministry would, in the meantime, provide doctors, nurses and necessities such as face masks, sanitisers and medicines at the evacuation centres.
"RTK Antigen screenings will be carried out at all centres to protect flood victims from Covid-19 infections," he said.
He also said the issue of inadequate food supply and stranded flood victims who could not be moved to relief centres in Selangor was considered resolved.
"As for those trapped in cars or other places apart from homes, action is being taken to evacuate them," he said.
As for sleeping places, he said the government had obtained the commitment of the Welfare Department to provide comfortable cubicles equipped with blankets and mattresses for flood victims.
Mr Ismail also said that the government has agreed to give emergency leave to civil servants affected by the floods.
"We understand their plight, so the government agrees to give emergency leave because of this disaster. The affected civil servants, when they return to work, can discuss with their respective department heads about the leave."
He hoped that the private sector would do the same by providing emergency leave to their affected workers.
"If they (employers) agree to give (leave), there are two conditions, that it (the leave) cannot be deducted from the annual leave and the salary of the employees cannot be deducted.
"If the leave is for five days, it cannot be deducted from their salary. It should be paid leave," he said, adding that he would discuss the matter with Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan.
