Penang Federal Action Committee chairperson Zainal Abidin has been questioned about the remaining RM2.157 billion allocation for the state’s flood mitigation projects.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said Zainal Abidin has kept mum about the matter, although he had earlier claimed that the federal government had spent RM2.6 billion to resolve flood woes in the state.

“What happened to the remaining money, as Penang has received only RM443 million from the federal government, but Zainal Abidin has refused to comment about this,” Lim said at a press conference in Komtar today.

“I understand a police report has been lodged over this and I hope Zainal Abidin will be brave enough to give us a response soon,” he added.

Apology not needed

“If he is certain that RM2.6 billion had been spent and the remaining money can be returned to Penang as promised to us, we will consider this matter resolved,” said Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general.

Lim said there is no need for Zainal Abidin to issue an apology for the matter although “we feel he has lied to the people.”

“We just want to make sure that the money promised to us for flood mitigation be returned to us as soon as possible.”

Only RM443 million spent

On Sept 26, state executive councillor on flood mitigation Chow Kon Yeow showed proof based on data from the State Drainage and Irrigation Department that the federal government had only allocated RM443 million to Penang.

He was then responding to Zainal Abidin and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Wan Junaidi Tunku Jaafar that RM2.6 billion had been spent for flood mitigation projects in the northern state.

Lim’s appeal for funds from Putrajaya for flood mitigation measures intensified after Penang was hit with a heavy downfall of 270mm on Sept 15, causing flash floods which brought the island to a standstill.

On Sept 20, the state government announced that victims will be compensated with RM400 as a “one-off” payment.

Meanwhile, Lim said victims of the flood need not submit police reports to obtain the money from the state government.

To qualify for the fund, victims must show that their appliances, furniture, homes and cars were damaged by the flood.

“Application forms for the fund have been distributed since Sept 25, and should be sent to the state government before Oct 31, after which a committee will select those who fulfill the fund’s criteria,” said Lim.