KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission (SKM) has allocated RM580,000 under the Skuad Ihsan Madani SKM Prihatin and Gerakan Koperasi initiatives to assist flood victims in affected states.
Deputy Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said that of the total amount, Kelantan received the largest allocation of RM200,000, as it had the highest number of people affected by the floods.
He said that more than 2,000 heads of households (KIR) out of a total of 5,800 KIR in Kelantan were expected to benefit from the initiatives, which would include the provision of home cleaning kits and food baskets.
"The Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (Kuskop) (through SKM) remains committed to assisting those affected by the flood disaster. I hope that more assistance will be provided (after this).
"This is a long-standing practice through SKM, but we should also thank the Prime Minister for his unwavering concern for flood victims, regardless of their political background," he told reporters after launching the Skuad Ihsan Madani SKM Prihatin and Gerakan Koperasi initiatives here yesterday.
Also present were Kuskop secretary-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud, Kuskop deputy secretary-general (entrepreneurial development) Datuk Zamri Salleh, SKM chairman Lieutenant Gen (R) Datuk Ahmad Norihan Jalal and SKM chief executive officer Datuk Rusli Jaafar.
The launch of the Skuad Ihsan Madani SKM Prihatin and Gerakan Koperasi in Kelantan was marked by a flag-off ceremony involving 14 four-wheel-drive vehicles and a lorry, representing the 14 parliamentary constituencies across the state.
In the meantime, Ramanan said that any cooperative under SKM with assets or projects affected by the flood disaster was eligible to receive assistance from the emergency fund, with a maximum amount of RM30,000.
However, he explained that to apply for the emergency fund, a police report was required, along with meeting the other terms and conditions. — BERNAMA