PM announces more aid for flood victims

 

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has announced further post-flood initiatives to assist affected households, including private-sector donations, financing and rental waivers.

For business owners, Ismail said interest-free loans up to RM5,000 are being offered by Bank Simpanan Nasional, with repayment to start only six months after the loan is signed.

To finance flood prevention and repair works, Ismail announced an additional RM50.8 million donation from government-linked corporations and government-linked investment corporations – an increase from the initial RM25 million government grant announced yesterday.

"This means funds for efforts to address the impact of the flood and post-flood recovery is RM75.8 million," Ismail said in a statement.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob (above).

Meanwhile, he said the government has agreed to grant a two-month rental waiver for tenants of SME Bank's Entrepreneur Premises Complex affected by the flood.

"The government through SME Bank will also facilitate applications for loan restructuring by those affected," he added.

Efforts underway to drain stagnant water

Ismail said the special meeting on National Disaster Coordination also agreed to urgently resolve the flooding in Taman Seri Muda, Shah Alam, one of the worst-hit areas in Selangor.

He said 41 boats, 16 lorries and other assets were dispatched to the area as of this evening, with a rescue team of 321 personnel.

Many Taman Seri Muda residents only managed to trickle out of the area this morning, when floodwaters began to recede.

According to several witnesses, flooding began on Saturday morning. By the afternoon, floodwaters were as high as car roofs, forcing many to flee to higher ground.

Further, Ismail said he instructed the Environment and Water Ministry through the Irrigation and Drainage Department to set up 20 more mobile pumps in the area, used to pump stagnant water into the Klang River. This is on top of four pumps already deployed.

"I have also agreed to a proposal for several parts of the riverbank to be temporarily breached so stagnant water can be quickly channelled into the river.

"Locations to be breached is being finalised," he said. - Mkini