PUTRAJAYA: The government has not discussed possible state of emergency following the floods in Johor.
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the cabinet, however, had agreed on various assistance to be extended to flood victims in the 10 affected districts.
"However, it (declaring an emergency) was not raised in the meeting.
"Apart from the RM50 million allocation announced by the prime minister earlier, the cabinet has agreed that the ministers will go to the ground and provide aids to victims of flood in Johor, which saw 32,719 people affected as of noon, according to Nadma (National Disaster Management Agency)," he told repoters.
He said his ministry would focus on connectivity, with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission assessing some 90 base stations damaged due to floods.
On a separate matter, Fahmi, who spoke on behalf of the government at the press conference, said the ministry was also reviewing the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) Act 1981, to address loopholes and weaknesses including in financing and filming medium aspects, in keeping with the times.
"For instance, those appointed to the Finas board are prohibited from working (in movie productions) and the digital medium, which we wish to address in the (amendments to the) act.
"Finas has prepared a draft (of its proposed enhancement on the act), but it has yet to be presented to the cabinet."
Meanwhile, Fahmi said he would meet officials from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry next week to form a committee on royalty payments and music industry development.
This was in light of the fact that Tan Sri P. Ramlee's royalty payment period for his next-of-kin ends in May.