Govt to continue channelling aid directly to flood victims

The government will continue to provide assistance directly to flood victims through relevant agencies rather than via elected representatives, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Zahid said the National Disaster Management Agency, the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department and other agencies have been providing equal assistance.

“The Social Welfare Department and various NGOs also provided assistance.

“God willing, their presence (flood relief agencies) at the flood site, especially at the temporary relief centres, has sufficiently eased the anger (of flood victims) when they saw that no elected representatives had come down to the ground,” the National Disaster Management Committee chairperson told Bernama after being interviewed on Bernama TV’s “Ruang Bicara” programme last night.

“We ask assemblypersons and MPs to come down to help them with ways they know best because they must care for their respective voters,” Zahid added.

Arau MP Shahidan Kassim at a press conference in Parliament yesterday, urged the government to consider an immediate allocation of RM1 million to opposition MPs whose areas were affected by the floods to be channelled to the victims involved.

Apart from that, Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal requested that the government allow financial assistance to be channelled directly to elected representatives in flood-affected areas to prevent delays in victims receiving the aid.

Colour blind

Earlier, during an interview titled “Two Years of Madani with Zahid Hamidi”, he said the government adhered to the concept of “colour blindness” in assisting flood victims regardless of area.

He urged the federal and state governments work together in this regard for the welfare of all affected people.

“We may have different opinions but I hope this matter is understood by all so that the interests of the people are given priority,” he said, adding that all states, regardless of the ruling party, should align with the Madani government.

Zahid said the government is at the highest level of preparation to face the second wave of floods which is expected to occur from Dec 8 to 14 due to the monsoon.

This includes identifying 8,481 shelters which can accommodate more than 2.1 million flood victims at any one time, in addition to the involvement of 82,000 staff from various agencies in coordinating aid.

“We are not expecting anything bad but it is better than being hit and then recovering,” he said, adding that the first wave of floods has passed.

- Bernama

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