MP questions discrepancy between PM, Nadma on flood cash aid frequency
Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh has questioned an alleged discrepancy between Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's remarks and the National Disaster Management Agency's (Nadma) policy on how many times cash aid for flood victims will be given.
This is after Ismail tweeted at her and said flood aid would be given every time disaster strikes.
Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh has questioned an alleged discrepancy between Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's remarks and the National Disaster Management Agency's (Nadma) policy on how many times cash aid for flood victims will be given.
This is after Ismail tweeted at her and said flood aid would be given every time disaster strikes.
"The government will pay for each time the people are hit by a disaster.
"If they are hit twice by disaster then the government will pay twice. Those are my orders," he tweeted yesterday evening.
However, Yeoh pointed out that a FAQ released by Nadma on the RM1,000 cash aid states that aid will only be given once in a "disaster season".
"If a disaster happens more than once in the disaster season, then there will be no second, third, or subsequent aid given," the FAQ stated.
The FAQ was posted two days ago.
Yeoh said the conflicting information showed a government in disarray.
"Conflicting answers from the prime minister's tweet and Nadma's FAQ highlights the lack of communication within the cabinet and the Prime Minister's Office itself.
"The prime minister needs to be more professional. We are on the ground. We know. Don't be defensive and get his ministers sorted out," she told Malaysiakini.
The discrepancy arose when Ismail moved to refute a tweet by Yeoh questioning why applications for flood aid would purportedly be closed at 12pm today (Dec 24).
The prime minister denied that flood aid applications would be closed and told Segambut MP to check her facts and not to simply trust WhatsApp messages.
Lack of clarity over application for aid
Commenting on her earlier allegations that flood aid applications were being rushed, Yeoh shared with Malaysiakini a message Segambut residents reportedly received yesterday from a Federal Territories Residents' Representatives Council (MPWWP) subzone chairperson.
In the message, the chairperson said that a team would be distributing flood aid application forms house to house and that submissions had to be submitted the day after (Friday, Dec 24) by 12pm.
The chairperson also apologised for the short notice.
There has been a lack of clarity on how flood victims can apply for the flood cash aid, due in part to a lack of publicity and ease of access to information.
According to the Nadma FAQ - which appears to have only been posted on its social media pages - those evacuated to government-run evacuation centres will have their applications processed there.
However, those who did not evacuate must make an application with the local community leader or district officer.
Aid comes in the form of RM1,000 cash for each family affected by the floods, while the next-of-kin of those killed by the floods will receive RM5,000 in compensation.
