KUALA LUMPUR: The government has allocated RM1.4 billion under the Malaysian Family Flood Aid to assist flood victims.
In a statement today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government will ensure all assistance will be channelled comprehensively and effectively to the flood victims.
He said under the Malaysia Flood Relief Assistance, the government has implemented several improvements concerning the Bantuan Wang Ihsan (BWI).
"First, RM1,000 to heads of households who were affected by the recent floods.
"Second, the BWI will be channelled to all affected heads of households, including those who have not moved to the temporary evacuation centres.
"Third, RM10,000 to the next-of-kin of victims who died during the floods.
"Lastly, those affected by floods can claim for BWI every time the disaster strikes, unlike previously when they could only do so once during the North-East Monsoon."
Ismail Sabri said realising that the flood victims needed cash, the state governments have disbursed BWI payment starting Dec 27 and this was expected to be completed this week.
"However, there will be a slight delay in Selangor and Pahang due to the large number of flood victims.
"As such, I have instructed the relevant agencies to simplify the payment process without any bureaucracy or without having to fill in various forms as previously."
The premier said to date, more than 30,000 heads of households have been registered to receive the BWI.
"The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) has already channelled the initial allocation of BWI, amounting RM34 million to 11 states.
"As for BWI for those who died during the floods, a total of 25 next-of-kin have received RM10,000 each as announced."
In the same statement, Ismail Sabri also announced that the government has agreed to provide vouchers to flood victims for the purchase of electrical appliances.
"Every eligible head of household can apply for a voucher worth RM500 when making a purchase, either physically at registered stores, supermarkets or on e-commerce platform recognised by the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry."
Ismail Sabri said to alleviate the burden of flood victims who suffered damage to their vehicles, several initiatives will be implemented.
"Perodua will provide a car towing service to the service centre free of charge. Perodua has also agreed to give a 50 per cent discount on spare parts.
"Proton also has agreed to give a 50 per cent discount on spare parts for most car models, as well as free towing service and car wash at their registered service centres.
"For other car companies, most of them have agreed to provide free towing services and discount of 25 per cent or more, on spare parts and labour charge at their respective registered service centres.
"Some companies also offer payment in instalments up to one year.
"Lastly, there is a voucher of RM1,000 for repair or purchase to replace a personal vehicle that has suffered total damage."
To increase cash access to flood victims in need, Ismail Sabri said Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), with a total fund of RM100 million, has offered financing of up to RM10,000 at zero rates with a repayment period of up to 3.5 years including a six-month repayment moratorium.
He said as of yesterday (Dec 28), BSN has received applications with a value of RM25 million, and the bank has already approved loans worth RM10 million.
He added apart from BSN, Bank Negara Malaysia has an allocation of RM500 million for the Disaster Relief Facility (DRF) through commercial banks, which is up to RM500,000 to small and medium enterprise entrepreneurs and up to RM75,000 to micro-entrepreneurs.
"The financing period is up to five years including a repayment moratorium of up to six months, with a financing rate of up to 3.5 per cent per annum.
Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said the government has allocated a total of RM100 million to mobilise post-flood works.
"Apart from that, the government has also added another RM50 million specifically for Selangor and Pahang for the same purpose.
"The allocation will be used to carry out repair and cleaning work on residents' houses and damaged public facilities."
As for cleaning works, Ismail Sabri said the government has allocated an additional RM10 million to fund flood waste collection services as well as road cleaning works, public facilities and the victims' yards.
"Currently, the Housing and Local Government Ministry together with National Solid Waste Management Department, Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation, as well as contractors who have been appointed are actively carrying out clean-up work in areas affected by floods.
"To expedite the work of collecting, cleaning and sending flood waste to landfills, the Housing and Local Government Ministry has increased the number of manpower by appointing more contractors to go down to the ground, including areas that were previously inaccessible."
Ismail Sabri said the government has always taken a holistic approach through various initiatives and measures to ensure the welfare of the Malaysian Family is taken care of.
"Hopefully, all the above initiatives can help ease the burden of Malaysian Family affected by the floods.
"Together we work and pray that the impact of this flood disaster can be addressed immediately so that we can focus on economic recovery and growth next year."