Klang man still waiting for flood aid a month after calamity

 

The scene in Taman Klang Utama on Dec 18.

PETALING JAYA: Flood victim Loganathan Asaithandy is still waiting for government aid to arrive although it has been nearly a month since floodwaters in his Taman Klang Utama neighbourhood receded.

The rain that fell on Dec 17 was heavy and unrelenting, beginning in the afternoon and continuing through the night. By 2am, water in Loganathan’s house had hit his knees.

“That’s when the fire and rescue department told us to leave, and we had no choice but to go to my nephew’s house in Puchong,” the 41-year-old told FMT.

He applied for aid from both the federal and state governments, but said he still hadn’t seen a sen.

Loganathan Asaithandy.

“I was called one day by Pejabat Tanah Daerah Klang. I was told to collect my money on a Saturday morning. But at that time, I was busy and couldn’t make it.

“So I went the following Monday and asked if I could collect, and they said, ‘No, it’s too late.’ They told me to wait for another invitation by call or text, and that still hasn’t come.”

He is eligible for RM1,000 from the Selangor government and another RM1,000 from Putrajaya.

Even if the money arrives, it is not likely to do much to ease his burden.

“I’d guess the damage I’ve incurred so far is about RM10,000 to RM15,000,” he said.

“I’ve lost furniture like my couch, cupboards, my coffee table. The wiring system short circuited, my fridge and washing machine are broken. A lot has been lost.

“That RM2,000 won’t be close to enough, but it’ll be something. But now, I’m just waiting and waiting, hoping to get that message to come and collect.”

According to Klang MP Charles Santiago, Loganathan is not the only one still waiting for money the government has promised.

“I’ve heard there have been delays,” he said. “Some of it is understandable because the demand for aid is very high. But in general, the land office has a tendency to be slow. So the current situation doesn’t surprise me. They need to buck up because people need money immediately.”

The government has said as much as RM61,000 would be available to victims, but Santiago said the criteria for eligibility excluded many of those affected.

Water was knee high before Loganathan Asaithandy and his family were evacuated.

“I’ve had people tell me they are asked for evidence like pictures of how high the water was in their houses or images of damaged goods,” he said.

“When the water is rising, people don’t take pictures. People don’t take pictures of all the things they’ve lost before they get rid of them. There’s a need to relook the criteria.”

With the economic turmoil brought on by the pandemic still causing suffering, people like those affected by the floods were as vulnerable as ever, he said.

“People have lost their jobs or have experienced pay cuts and some may have depleted their savings.

“The vulnerable group is only getting bigger now, and that’s something the government has not adequately responded to.“ - FMT