PETALING JAYA: Besides cash assistance for flood victims, the RM1.4bil Malaysian Family Flood Relief fund will also provide aid for home and personal vehicle repairs as well as financing for affected businesses.
The package of assistance and facilities for flood victims announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday includes compassionate cash aid (BWI) of RM1,000 for heads of households, RM10,000 for the next of kin of deceased flood victims, as well as vouchers of RM500 to buy new electrical goods, and RM1,000 for vehicle repairs.
He said the relevant quarters have been asked to cut the red tape and ease distribution to the victims without them having to fill in numerous forms as before.
Under the Malaysian Family Flood Relief, all heads of households, including those who were not evacuated to temporary relief centres (PPS), will now be eligible for the compassionate aid, he added.
“Additionally, flood victims can also claim the BWI each time disaster strikes compared to previously, when they could only do so once during the northeast monsoon (season),” he said.
As per the latest data, over 30,000 heads of households have registered for the BWI and the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) has so far channelled RM34mil to 11 states, while a total of 25 next of kin of deceased flood victims have also received the RM10,000 aid.
Besides Tenaga Nasional Bhd providing a 100% rebate on December electricity bills for flood victims, the government has also agreed to provide vouchers to flood victims to purchase new electrical equipment, said Ismail Sabri.
“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 added.
Flood victims whose personal vehicles were declared a total loss are also entitled to receive a RM1,000 voucher from the government to spend on repairs or purchases to replace their damaged vehicles.
Meanwhile, Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) will be providing free towing services to its service centres, a 50% discount on spare parts along with free labour charges and related services, said Ismail Sabri.
Proton Holdings Bhd has also agreed to give a 50% discount on spare parts for most car models as well as free tows and car wash at their registered service centres, he added.
“As for other car companies, almost all have agreed to provide free towing services and discounts of 25% or more on spare parts and workmanship cost at their centres.
“Some companies are also offering options for monthly instalment payments for a period of one year,” he said.
The government has also allocated RM100mil for post-flood management with an additional RM50mil, especially for Selangor and Pahang.
“An additional RM10mil to finance flood waste collection services as well as post-flood clean-up works has also been allotted,” he said.
Ismail Sabri added that Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) will also 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 instalments.
With an allocation of RM500mil, Bank Negara Malaysia is also offering the Disaster Relief Facility 2022, he said.
The financing facilities will be provided through commercial banks for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to finance the replacement of damaged equipment, 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, BSN has already approved RM10mil worth of loans. - Star
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