A sum of RM70 million has been allocated by the government to meet the housing needs of the tsunami victims in Kedah and Penang, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced today.

The money will be used to repair houses damaged by the Dec 26 tsunami and build transit as well as permanent houses, Bernama quoted him as saying after launching a people's housing project in Pekan, Pahang.

According to Najib, 402 damaged houses would be repaired and 166 transit houses and 166 permanent houses would be built at a cost of RM21.2 million in Kedah.

In Penang, 525 damaged houses would be repaired and 88 transit houses and 900 permanent houses would be built at a cost of RM47.9 million, he said.

Najib said the RM70 allocation comprised some money from the National Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund made up of donations from the people and an allocation from the government.

Contractors to be appointed

He also said that the government would act immediately in the matter, and that the repairs to the damaged houses would take about 1-1/2 months while the permanent houses would be up in about 12 months.

The National Housing Company (SPN) was in the process of appointing the contractors, the deputy premier added.

Najib also said that he would announce details of the monthly repayment plan for occupants of the permanent houses when he visits the two states soon.

"We will determine the monthly repayment that the occupants can afford," he said.