KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has stressed that he will ensure that all parties collectively shoulder the responsibility of ensuring that aid to flood victims nationwide is distributed smoothly.
He said the matter was discussed in the first cabinet meeting of the year this morning to ensure that all aid previously announced by the government is delivered to the recipients swiftly.
He said he also issued a reminder to all cabinet members of their respective roles in tackling all crises, regardless whether it involves health, the economy or natural disasters.
"Following the flood disaster, I will ensure that all quarters shoulder their responsibilities to the best of their abilities in managing the distribution of government aid. All aid previously announced has to be delivered as quickly as possible.
"I also reminded all cabinet members that each of them has a role to play in managing all crises, be they health, economy or disaster-related.
"I am certain that with dedication from all, we can manage these challenges smoothly as part of 'Keluarga Malaysia'," he wrote in a Facebook post today.
In a special address in conjunction with the New Year last Friday, Ismail Sabri had announced the Bantuan Banjir Keluarga Malaysia aid involving cash payout of up to RM10,000 for heads of households affected by the floods.
This, he said, was part of the government's efforts to reduce the burden of the people who were impacted by the floods without requiring them to withdraw their Employee Provident Fund (EPF) contributions.
The government had also allocated cash aid of up to RM5,000 for each family to repair homes which were moderately damaged by floodwaters.
Those whose homes were severely damaged by the floods can receive an allocation of up to RM15,000. Those whose homes have been left uninhabitable would receive aid of up to RM56,000 to help them build a new house.
Meanwhile, the prime minister said apart from flood and post-flood management, the cabinet meeting also focused on the postponement of the 'umrah' pilgrimage for Malaysians following the presence of the Omicron Covid-19 variant in Saudi Arabia.