December 30, 2021
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian Family Flood Aid worth RM1.4bil has been announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The package of assistance and facilities for flood victims includes compassionate cash aid of RM1,000 for heads of households, RM10,000 for the next of kin of deceased flood victims, and RM500 vouchers to buy new electrical goods.
Ismail Sabri said in a statement on Wednesday (Dec 29) that all heads of households, including those who were not evacuated to temporary relief centres, will now be eligible for the cash aid.
“Additionally, flood victims can also now claim the cash aid each time disaster strikes compared to previously, when they could only do so once during the north-east monsoon,” he said.
According to the latest data, over 30,000 heads of households have registered for the cash aid and the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) has so far channelled RM34mil of it to 11 states; while a total of 25 next of kin of deceased flood victims had also received the RM10,000 assistance each.
Ismail Sabri added that besides Tenaga Nasional Berhad providing a 100% rebate on December electricity bills for flood victims, the government has also agreed to provide vouchers for them to buy new electrical equipment.
“Every eligible head of household can apply for and get a voucher of RM500 when making a purchase either physically at the store and registered supermarkets or on e-commerce platforms recognised by the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry,” he said.
“The government has also allocated RM100mil for post-flood management with an additional RM50mil especially for Selangor and Pahang.
“The government has also allocated an additional RM10mil to finance flood waste collection services as well as post-flood clean-up works,” he said.
Ismail Sabri added that Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) will provide interest-free personal financing facilities of up to RM10,000 to flood victims, with RM100mil having been allocated for this purpose.
Flood victims will also get a moratorium for the first six months on the payment of monthly installments.
With an allocation of RM500mil, Bank Negara Malaysia is also offering the Disaster Relief Facility (DRF) 2022, said Ismail Sabri.
The financing facilities will be provided through commercial banks for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to finance the replacement of equipment damaged by floods, as well as for working capital.
“Financing up to RM500,000 will be provided for SMEs while micro-entrepreneurs can borrow up to RM75,000,” he said, adding that as of Tuesday (Dec 28), BSN had approved RM10mil worth of loans.
He said the aid would be distributed in a comprehensive and effective manner, and relevant agencies and departments had been asked to cut red tape and ease distribution of aid to victims.